The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture at its 2026 annual meeting will host a policy committee meeting to discuss food systems and nutrition opportunities and challenges across the country, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration Director of the Office of Produce Safety Dr. Donna Garren will share about Produce Safety Rule implementation and working with states.
In addition to scheduled speakers, NASDA and NASDA Foundations staff will give updates and members will have time for open dialogue. Questions for speakers, NASDA members and NASDA staff will be reserved for NASDA members only.
WHERE: Both virtual and in-person registered press will be able to listen in. Registration for the press is complimentary. The NASDA Annual Meeting is being held in Portland, Maine, Sept. 14-16 at The Holiday Inn Portland – By the Bay.
WHEN:
Food Systems and Nutrition Policy Committee Meeting
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026
1-2 p.m. ET
The Holiday Inn Portland – By the Bay, Room: Grand Ballroom
For virtual attendees, please register in advance and join the committee meeting online via the virtual portal.
Annual meeting registration for all attendees will close on Sept. 8, 2026.
WHAT: NASDA annual meeting policy committee meetings are an educational opportunity for NASDA members and other meeting attendees to learn new details about current agricultural and food policy issues. To better serve our members and provide ample time for thorough policy development, NASDA has transitioned to voting on new policy once a year at the Winter Policy Conference. This change allows NASDA members to engage in more in-depth discussions and collaboration at the annual meeting and build upon policies throughout the year. Policies on emerging issues will be voted on as needed.
The 2026 NASDA Annual Meeting is themed “resilient roots, bountiful future,” which will embody the conversations we’ll have on local food, forestry and other timely agricultural issues. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, X and Facebook to keep up with the entire conference.
NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association which represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries and directors of the departments of agriculture in all 50 states and four U.S. territories. NASDA grows and enhances American food and agricultural communities through policy, partnerships and public engagement. To learn more about NASDA, please visit www.nasda.org.
