Facilitated Discussion: Election 2012: Voter Attitudes on Food and Nutrition Issues - Presidential BallroomWith the election on the horizon, polling experts examine
the issues that are likely to be most important to voters in November and explore whether any food-related issues are likely to rise to prominence during the campaign. The demand for more locally-produced food is a major issue in the blogosphere and has spurred activist groups to lobby state legislatures. The economic impact and safety of imported food arouses widespread concern. Rising prices and shrinking packages of some basic foods stress family budgets. Formerly middle class Americans now patronize food banks. Are polling experts who advise candidates asking voters about food prices, safety and nutrition? Are any of these issues likely to play an important role in the campaigns? If so, which food related concerns are most likely to reach that level?

Moderator:

Mary Christ-Erwin
Executive Vice President
Porter Novelli

Panelists:

Jay Campbell
Vice President
Hart Research Associates

Margie Omero
President
Momentum Analysis, LLC

Susan Pitman
Partner
FoodMinds

11:15AM

Panel Breakout 1: The Challenge of Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens - CongressionalRecent foodborne disease outbreaks have highlighted
the challenge of antibiotic resistant pathogen strains.
However, the FDA recently announced it would continue
to rely on voluntary efforts as the primary means to reduce antibiotic use in animal agriculture. A diverse panel
of stakeholders will discuss the importance of addressing
this problem, the adequacy of existing data to sustain or overturn current policy, the political challenges to any
mandatory action reducing antibiotic use in livestock
production, and whether, after 30 years of controversy,
there is a path forward on this issue.

H. Morgan Scott
Professor of Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Medicine
Kansas State University

11:15AM

Panel Breakout 2: Seeking a Path Forward on Nutrition Issues - Federal ADisagreements on nutrition issues are common but
stakeholders can sometimes agree to compromise solutions that achieve joint goals of improving nutrition. Recently, however, contentious debates on several highprofile issues have resulted in substantial conflict in the nutrition community. How can we foster a healthy tension among stakeholders yet still move forward on key nutrition issues? What steps can be taken to reach mutually greeable solutions? Can solutions come from outside the government arena? What are some lessons learned from other issues that have been successfully resolved?

Panel Breakout 3: A Changing Climate, a Changing Food Supply - Federal BChanging weather patterns and higher global temperatures
could have a serious impact on our food system in the
years to come. Scientists anticipate that extreme weather events could severely disrupt food production, causing food shortages and increasing food prices. Food production practices may have to adjust to new environmental realities.
An expert panel examines the nexus between climate change
and our food supply and discusses solutions to alleviate the potential impact.

Facilitated Discussion: Meeting Changing Consumer Expectations and Demands - Presidential BallroomConsumers continue to seek attributes such as safety,
quality and price when they purchase food. But substantial
numbers of consumers also want food products that support social values such as ustainable practices, animal welfare, fair trade, and other attributes. How do food companies measure the strength of conflicting demands? How do they
determine which expressed needs are most strongly felt and how do they respond while maintaining adequate profits? How do different companies balance social demands against price sensitivity? What innovations are food companies and retailers introducing to remain competitive?

Panel Breakout 1: The Latest in the Debate on Food Biotechnology - CongressionalThe debate over genetically engineered foods has intensified, as USDA has recently deregulated several GM crops, and FDA considers the approval of a salmon modified for rapid growth – the first genetically engineered animal that would be sold to consumers. How do consumers view these latest developments and what are their expectations regarding
food biotechnology generally? How might the introduction
of GE foods that convey direct benefits to consumers affect
consumer views on biotechnology? Does our regulatory system provide sufficient review and oversight of GE foods to assure consumer confidence and safety? Does labeling
provide a middle ground in this debate?

Greg Jaffe
Director, Project on Biotechnology
Center for Science in the Public Interest

4:15PM

Panel Breakout 2: Maintaining Food Assistance Programs During Tough Economic Times - Federal AThe U.S. economy remains severely troubled as unemployment remains high. Food assistance programs are designed to respond to economic stress. When unemployment rises more
people are eligible for assistance. While these conditions drive up the cost of food assistance programs, both Congress and the Administration seek to reduce federal spending. Will election year imperatives put a higher value on providing for those in need or on reducing spending? Are there opportunities for compromise? How might the 2012 election results affect
the responsiveness of the programs in the future? Is a major change in program structure such as block grants
a real possibility?

Panel Breakout 3: The Impact of Immigration Reform Efforts on Food Production - Federal BImmigration reform continues to roil the political waters
and is likely to play a role in the 2012 election. Some states
have passed strict new immigration measures which are
having impacts on food production in those states. In
particular, farmers find it difficult to retain a labor force
to harvest their crops, which can result in reduced income
for the farmer and higher prices for consumers. In some
states, immigration raids have impacted the labor force in meat and poultry plants. A panel of experts examines
these problems and offers various perspectives on ways
to resolve this complex problem.

Panel Breakout 1: The Role of Third Party Auditing in Food Safety - Federal AThe recent Listeria outbreak linked to cantaloupe was
the latest in a series of outbreaks to raise concerns about the role of third-party auditors in food safety. Yet the Food and Drug Administration is required by its new food safety law to accredit third-party auditors for imported food. What is the appropriate role for third party audits? a system be developed that would assure credibility and trust in third party audits? What specific requirements are
necessary to ensure audit integrity and overcome consumer suspicion that audits will respond to the needs of those who pay for them?

Panel Breakout 2: Improving Nutrition for Competitive Foods in Schools - Federal BAs required by the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act, USDA will soon propose new nutrition standards for foods sold in vending machines and a la carte lines. This will mark the first time that all foods sold in schools, both on the lunch line and off, will be required to meet specific nutrition standards. Meanwhile, some schools and companies are already
taking steps to improve foods sold in schools. A panel of
experts examines the key issues in this debate, discusses the implications of these standards on child nutrition, and explores what is already being done to improve nutrition in schools.

Moderator:

Tracy Fox
President
Food, Nutrition & Policy Consultants, LLC

Panelists:

Becky Domokos-Bays
Director, School Nutrition Services
Alexandria City Public Schools

Margo G. Wootan
Director, Nutrition Policy
Center for Science in the Public Interest

9:15AM

Panel Breakout 3: Is It Time to Dramatically Alter U.S. Farm Policy? - CongressionalThe goal of U.S. farm policy has been to assist farmers
economically and help assure sufficient domestic food production. Today, agriculture support programs are
challenged by a desire to reduce federal spending, by new technologies, by the negative impact on food availability and cost in developing countries and by their failure to support the goals of dietary guidance. Do we need a significant reshaping of U.S. farm policy to address current needs? What impact, if any, would eliminating subsidies have on volatility and prices? Will the politics of 2012 result in major changes in farm policy or will Congress opt instead for very modest alterations? Will re-election imperatives result in postponing action until after the election?