Foundation Names Laura Himes to Chair 2027 Board
The Foundation for Fresh Produce, the philanthropic affiliate of the International Fresh Produce Association, has announced its 2027 Board of Directors.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Organic Food
The Foundation for Fresh Produce announced its 2027 Board of Directors, with Laura Himes, vice president of global sourcing for produce at Walmart, set to chair the board. The 2027 Board includes eight at-large directors, and Dwight Ferguson, Inci Dannenberg and Nikki Ford, PhD are retiring from the board.
Why it matters
The Foundation is the philanthropic affiliate of the International Fresh Produce Association, so its leadership shapes the group's charitable work across the fresh produce industry in the United States. The announcement sets the executive committee and board membership for the coming year.
The 2027 Board includes eight at-large directors, and its executive committee consists of Laura Himes as chair, Adam Cooper as chair-elect, Jin Ju Wilder as immediate past chair and April Porter as secretary/treasurer. The stub does not indicate what the board's agenda or funding targets will be for the year.
The players
Laura Himes
Laura Himes is vice president of global sourcing for produce at Walmart and will chair the Foundation's 2027 Board.
Foundation for Fresh Produce
The Foundation for Fresh Produce is the philanthropic affiliate of the International Fresh Produce Association, supporting charitable work in the produce industry.
Adam Cooper
Adam Cooper is chief executive officer of Oasis Date Gardens and serves as chair-elect on the Foundation's executive committee.
The details
The Foundation for Fresh Produce announced its 2027 Board of Directors on November 3, 2026. Adam Cooper, chief executive officer of Oasis Date Gardens, serves as chair-elect, while Jin Ju Wilder, chief executive officer of Vesta Foodservice, serves as immediate past chair.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: The Foundation announces its 2027 Board of Directors.
2027: The 2027 Board of Directors term begins.
Industry Context
The Foundation for Fresh Produce operates as the philanthropic arm of the International Fresh Produce Association, which represents the fresh produce industry in the United States. The 2027 board announcement continues the Association's model of pairing industry trade leadership with a charitable affiliate.
Shoppers who buy fresh produce at Walmart may see the industry's sourcing priorities shape what appears on store shelves. The Foundation's charitable focus could affect community food programs in the years ahead.
The takeaway
Leadership changes at industry foundations can signal shifts in how the fresh produce sector approaches sourcing and community giving. Readers interested in produce supply chains can follow the Association's updates for future board activity.
Further reading
Explore more organic food coverage to see how the produce industry is evolving.
More information
Visit the International Fresh Produce Association website for more information about the industry and its affiliated foundation.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Freshplaza.
