On August 21, 2009, the VFIC hosted “Consumers to Farm: Changing Patterns in the Fruit and Vegetable Industry” in conjunction with the Texas Produce Convention.
It was a one-day conference developed for scientists, educators and consumers, focused on the interdisciplinary research efforts of the VFIC and analyzing the factors of the overlapping areas of health, agriculture, policy and the consumer market. Targeted sessions included real-world presentations and applications, a round table with producers, grocers and restaurateurs discussing the health impacts of fruits and vegetables, challenges and opportunities, and a research update on fruit and vegetable breeding and the environmental impacts of healthy compounds in produce that may prevent human disease.
Speakers included but were not limited to:
Tim Davis, Department Head of Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M
Randall E. Westgren AL and Mary Agnes McQuinn Chair in Entrepreneurial Leadership
The Honorable John Cornyn, United States Senate
The Honorable Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, Texas Senate, District 20
Dr. Vincent Fonseca, Texas Department of State Health Services
Dr. Mark A. Hussey, Vice Chancellor and Dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University
Dr. Jeffrey Seeman, Vice President for Research, Texas A&M University
Click to download the full VFIC 2009 Program — or individual pages, below.