At The Washington Conference June 10, Rebeckah Adcock, International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) vice president of government relations, presented two awards celebrating produce industry advocates.

Little Bear Produce received the 2025 IFPA Produce Industry Advocate of the Year Award.

“Little Bear Produce has demonstrated outstanding volunteer leadership, actively participating in the former U.S. Government Relations Council, the Board of Directors, and now the new U.S. Country Council,” IFPA said. “Most recently, Bret Erickson, senior vice president, delivered powerful testimony before the Senate Agriculture Committee, addressing regulatory burdens facing the industry. Little Bear Produce serves as a fearless, unwavering voice in the #FightforFresh.”

Bret Erickson, senior vice president at Little Bear Produce.

| Source: International Fresh Produce Association

As Erickson accepted the award, he said he felt like he had been a “thorn in the side of these organizations” and that it was humbling to be standing up there. Erickson praised Adcock for being a rock star, as some of his conversations with IFPA have been “brutal,” but he has always felt safe to be honest. Erickson passionately urged the luncheon attendees to get involved with Political Action Committees (PACs).

“It’s a slimy game, but if you invest in these politicians, you get time with them to listen to your issues,” Erickson said.

He highlighted the challenges US growers face, including higher costs due to paying workers fair wages. Erickson said he pays $22 an hour while “other companies are paying 50 cents an hour to grow in Mexico.”

“If you want locally grown produce, it’s expensive to grow it,” Erickson said. “I’ve been doing this for 15 years, and we’re in the worst position ever.” Despite this, Erickson maintained a smile and positive tone.

“Optimism abounds!” Erickson said. “Keep beating the drum. At some point, something is going to shift or change, and you want a seat at the table to be part of the conversation.”

IFPA also presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to former Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Administrator Bruce Summers. Adcock emphasized that this award is not given automatically or presented annually, but it was instead a unique recognition of Summers’ contributions to the produce industry.

“In his remarkable 40-year career dedicated to American agriculture, Summers has made a lasting, positive impact on the specialty crop industry,” IFPA said. “His leadership advancing the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) has helped protect businesses and strengthen marketplace integrity. Additionally, his work guiding programs such as the National Organic Program has bolstered the specialty crop sector worldwide.”

Bruce Summers, former Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) administrator.

| Source: International Fresh Produce Association

As Summers accepted his award, he praised his team for “tripling the amount of fresh vegetables going to places like food banks,” as organizations have gotten better at handling fresh produce. He pointed out the importance of fresh produce for folks who are “not only calorie deficient, but nutrition deficient.”

“It’s a great team,” Summers said. “I haven’t had an individual accomplishment in 30 years. It’s a team effort. People like me do this work because they want to make agriculture stronger. We want to make it stronger, better, fairer.”