IDFA hosted a food and agriculture industry fundraising dinner last week for Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA-15), who is a champion for food and agriculture policy and an advocate for fair legislation that affects the dairy industry. IDFA frequently hosts fundraising events such as these for members of Congress who support and represent the dairy industry. The 22 attendees included six IDFA member representatives and industry peers.

Thompson currently serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and is the ranking member on the House Agriculture General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee. Thompson also serves on the House Committee on Education and Labor.

During the dinner, Thompson and others discussed current trade issues, including the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement and ongoing negotiations with China. They also discussed potential Child Nutrition Reauthorization legislation (CNR), which provides Congress with an opportunity  to make changes to the school meals and child nutrition programs—including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)—to ensure the programs meet the needs of their participants. While the current law, called the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-296), expired on September 30, 2015, the programs continue to operate.

Last December, Thompson received the 2018 IDFA Leadership Award. This award honors those who have displayed outstanding leadership and support for the U.S. dairy industry.

IDFA looks forward to hosting more members of Congress at future events. To learn more, contact Colin Newman, IDFA manager of legislative affairs and political programs, at cnewman@idfa.org.