Fresh Perspectives from the IFPA K-12 Forum: Real Food, Real Connections

Fresh Perspectives from the IFPA K-12 Forum: Real Food, Real Connections

By Jiwon Jun, Director of K-12 Program at Eat Real

The Eat Real team recently returned from the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) K-12 Forum in Monterey, California, and we’re still feeling energized by the incredible people, ideas, and produce-filled inspiration that came out of it!

This was our second time attending the K-12 Forum, and we were blown away by how much the program has grown. The energy, collaboration, and commitment to putting fresh, nourishing food on kids’ plates has never been stronger.

Fresh Produce: The Heart of Healthy School Meals

At Eat Real, we know that fresh produce plays an essential role in children’s health and well-being — and when schools introduce students to a variety of fruits and vegetables early and often, it sets the foundation for lifelong healthy habits.

We loved seeing so many innovative ways districts and industry partners are helping make fresh produce more accessible and exciting in school meals. From whole fruits to pre-cut veggie options, exposure matters. This conference was full of creative solutions to make that possible.

A Community of Changemakers

This year, Eat Real had the opportunity to invite several of our district partners to attend and participate, including Marietta City Schools (GA) and Yakima School District (WA). It was also wonderful reconnecting with friends from West Ada, Capistrano, Monterey Peninsula, and San Luis Coastal districts.

A big thank you to IFPA for hosting such a welcoming space and for giving Eat Real a chance to table at the K-12 networking event. It was the perfect opportunity to reunite with familiar faces and meet new partners across the school nutrition and fresh produce worlds.

For many attendees, the forum felt a bit like summer camp. After countless Zoom meetings throughout the year, we finally got to meet in person! Last year, we met Kristen Homer from West Ada School District at IFPA; we bonded over being first-time attendees and kept in touch. This year, we’re thrilled that West Ada has joined the Eat Real program! Moments like that remind us how strong and personal this community really is.

Seeing the Supply Chain in Action

One of the highlights was the farm field trip to Taylor Farms, where we got to see what it takes to grow and process produce at scale.

We learned how spinach is harvested — and that it takes less than a month from planting to harvest for baby spinach! It was eye-opening to experience firsthand how much care and precision goes into supplying the fresh produce that ends up in school cafeterias across the country.

Innovation That Excites Districts

One product that caught the attention of many school nutrition leaders was a bag of pre-washed, pre-cut veggies with built-in seasoning. The concept was simple but fun: open the seasoning packet in the corner, shake the bag, and serve!

The seasonings were creative and delicious, and the design helps save valuable labor hours while keeping veggies appealing and flavorful. This is the kind of practical, innovative solution that can make a big difference in busy school kitchens.

Learning Together

Another standout session was led by Sheryl Allen, who shared insights from behavioral science and food choice architecture research. Her talk sparked lively discussion about how to help students choose and enjoy more fruits and vegetables — bringing research to life in ways that felt directly applicable to school meal programs.

And for the first time, the forum featured a pre-conference session where suppliers, distributors, and processors learned “School Food 101” from leading school nutrition directors. It was inspiring to see industry professionals leaning in to understand the unique needs of K-12 programs. 

Looking Ahead

We’re grateful to IFPA for creating a space where so many passionate people — from farmers to food service directors — can connect, learn, and collaborate. Events like this remind us that real change in school food happens when we work together across the entire food system.

We’re already looking forward to next year’s forum taking place on July 22-25 and to continuing our shared mission with IFPA and our partners to make fresh, real food the norm for every child. See next year’s schedule here.