The American Bakers Association (ABA) hosted the 2025 Bakers Fly In and Policy Summit, in partnership with the Retail Bakers of America (RBA) and the American Society of Baking (ASB) in Washington, DC, this week. The event, co-located with the Food Technical and Regulatory Affairs Professionals Group (FTRAC) Conference, convened baking industry leaders from across the country to make their voices heard on Capitol Hill. Bakers and suppliers met with representatives from Congress and regulatory agencies to address the legislative and regulatory priorities shaping the future of commercial baking and ensure the industry’s collective expertise informed policy development.
68 baking industry representatives participated in the 2025 Bakers Fly-In and Policy Summit, meeting with 60 Congressional offices to amplify the unified voice of the baking community with policymakers. The event also featured special events with Senator Steve Daines (MT), House Agriculture Committee Chair, G.T. Thompson (PA), Congressmen Darren LaHood (IL), Nathaniel Moran (TX), Tony Wied (WI), Mark Alford (MO), as well as programming with expert speakers including Neil Bradley, EVP from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Arun Venkataraman, Partner at Covington & Burling on the status of trade and tariff issues, Shannon Meade and Jorge Lopez from Littler discussing immigration issues, and Helena Bottemiller Evich, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Food Fix. This robust and multifaceted event ensured baking and supplier perspectives were heard on critical issues affecting nutrition, workforce, and food security.
To start the bakers’ week in Washington, Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA) and Congressman Donald G. Davis (NC) introduced a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives recognizing November as National Bread Month. Having the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Baking Caucus introduce this resolution celebrating bread as a nutritious, affordable, and culturally significant staple food was a momentous way to begin not only the Fly-In but National Bread Month. The resolution highlights the vital role of enriched and whole grain breads in reducing nutrient deficiencies and contributing nearly 40 percent of dietary fiber in the American diet.
To close out the week, the FTRAC Professionals Group Conference brought together regulatory, food safety, and nutrition policy leaders from across the baking industry to discuss the rapidly evolving food policy landscape. The session featured an update from a congressional representative on the MAHA Congressional Caucus. The conference underscored FTRAC’s vital role in defining industry consensus on food safety and nutrition priorities, guidance that informs ABA’s advocacy with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“This year’s Bakers Fly-In and Policy Summit was more impactful than ever. It showcased the strength and unity of the baking industry’s voice in Washington and advocated on timely and important issues,” said ABA President and CEO Eric Dell. “When our members come together to engage directly with lawmakers and regulators, we not only advocate for the future of baking, we demonstrate the essential role our industry plays in supporting America’s economy, health, workforce, and food security.”
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Editor, International Bakery
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