Baking industry representatives met policymakers in Washington, D.C., as the 2026 Bakers Fly-In and Policy Summit brought together commercial and retail bakery leaders to discuss priorities affecting the sector.
The event, hosted by the American Bakers Association (ABA) in partnership with the Retail Bakers of America (RBA) and the American Society of Baking (ASB), saw around 100 baking leaders meet with approximately 100 congressional offices on Capitol Hill.
Participants also promoted the Baking Feeds America campaign, which aims to highlight the baking industry’s contribution to families, employment, local communities and the wider US economy.
Bringing bakery priorities to policymakers
The programme included sessions involving Acting Commissioner of Food and Drugs at the US Food and Drug Administration Kyle Diamantas, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, Department of Labor Chief of Staff Courtney Walter and Representative Tony Wied.
Industry and policy specialists also contributed to discussions covering food regulation, transport, packaging and wider legislative issues affecting bakery businesses.
A central message of the summit was the role bread and baked goods continue to play within American households and diets. Participants highlighted figures stating that baked goods are found in nearly 99% of US households, while enriched and wholegrain breads can provide nutrients including fibre, iron, magnesium and B vitamins.
The Baking Feeds America campaign extended beyond the congressional meetings, with advertising displayed at Reagan National Airport, bus shelters and on a mobile digital billboard. Materials were also distributed to congressional offices.
Regulation, food safety and leadership
Alongside the Bakers Fly-In, the Food Technical and Regulatory Affairs Professionals Group Conference brought bakery and supplier representatives together to examine regulatory, food safety and nutrition issues.
Speakers included former FDA Associate Commissioner for Foods Dr David Acheson, now President and CEO of The Acheson Group, as well as representatives from the Grain Foods Research Institute, Nutrition In Demand and the International Food Information Council. Sessions explored areas including supplier-related food safety challenges, nutrition research and consumer perceptions of food processing.
Marissa Sertich, Executive Director of RBA, highlighted the wider contribution of retail bakeries, pointing to their role in creating employment, supporting local economies and acting as community gathering places.
“The Bakers Fly-In gives retail bakers an opportunity to share those stories directly with policymakers,” she said, adding that the event helps ensure smaller bakery businesses are represented in discussions that may affect the industry.
