INDIANAPOLIS, IN – December 18, 2024 – The Produce Moms® BB #:366223 is thrilled to announce Mollie Van Lieu, Vice President of Nutrition and Health at the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) {{BB#:378962}}, as the recipient of The Produce Moms Trailblazer Award for 2024. The award, presented annually honors individuals “doing work that matters the most,” as described by Lori Taylor, CEO of The Produce Moms.
Van Lieu’s dedication to increasing access to fresh produce and improving dietary quality through federal policy has made a lasting impact on communities nationwide. Her leadership has been particularly transformative in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, where she spearheaded efforts to first triple the fruit and vegetable benefit and then secure permanent funding for this critical initiative.
She was a guest on The Produce Moms Podcast in February with colleague Amy Marshall, and FGS Global’s Jacqlyn Schneider to discuss her work increasing funding for WIC. In this episode we learned that over half of the babies born in America qualify for WIC, making it one of our nation’s most important federal nutrition programs.
“Mollie’s work is a testament to the power of policy in driving change,” said Taylor. “Her contributions to the fresh produce industry and her tireless advocacy for increased access to fresh fruits and vegetables exemplify what it means to be a trailblazer.”
Van Lieu’s work at IFPA focuses on increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and advocating for federal policies that improve nutrition, including school meals, SNAP, USDA purchasing programs, and Produce Prescriptions. Her career spans roles in nutrition and education policy at the Pew Charitable Trusts, the National PTA, and on Capitol Hill, demonstrating her lifelong commitment to advancing public health.
“She has been a peer mentor of mine as it relates to activism and public policy work,” added Taylor. “Mollie spearheaded our industry’s efforts with WIC, first tripling the fruit and vegetable benefit for WIC and then doing the activism and public affairs work to secure funding to make it a permanent part of WIC. A fully-funded WIC program empowers families to get more fruits and vegetables on every table.”
A proud alumna of Adams County 4-H Dairy and Community Clubs, Van Lieu’s journey from her roots in south-central Pennsylvania to influencing national nutrition policy underscores the profound impact of her leadership.
The Produce Moms Trailblazer Award celebrates individuals like Van Lieu who shape the future of fresh produce through vision, advocacy, and action.
For more information about The Produce Moms and the Trailblazer Award, visit theproducemoms.com.
About THE PRODUCE MOMS®
The Produce Moms® is a widely recognized consumer brand and certified B Corporation that is on a mission to put more fruits and vegetables on every table. Founded by Lori Taylor, we are a global community of passionate fresh produce advocates. Through our platforms and produce supplier partnerships, The Produce Moms educates consumers on the benefits of eating fresh produce, the growing process, and how to select, store and serve fruits and vegetables. We introduce our community to produce brands, engage the produce industry with consumers in inspiring conversations, and promote public policy to increase the availability of fresh produce at American schools. The Produce Moms digital platforms, podcast, television appearances, and consumer products reach millions per month and support the brand’s goal to increase produce consumption in both volume & variety. For more information, please visit theproducemoms.com.
For additional information or to schedule an interview with Lori Taylor, please contact Chrissie Zavicar at cz@stackbrands.com.
The Produce Moms honors IFPA’s Mollie Van Lieu
