IFDA Announces Inaugural Changemaker Award Recipients
U.S. Representatives Scott Franklin and Sanford Bishop Recognized for Bipartisan Leadership on Solutions to Complex Food Traceability Rule
MCLEAN, Va – June 6, 2025 – The International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) announced the inaugural recipients of its newly established Changemaker Award Wednesday. U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin (R-FL) and U.S. Rep. Sanford D. Bishop Jr. (D-GA) have been selected for this honor in recognition of their outstanding bipartisan leadership and demonstrated commitment to commonsense solutions to facilitate compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Final Rule on Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods.
Established in 2025, the IFDA Changemaker Award recognizes up to four bipartisan, bicameral lawmakers whose congressional activities have meaningfully advanced one or more key priorities of the foodservice distribution industry.
“IFDA is proud to recognize Representatives Franklin and Bishop as our first Changemaker Award recipients,” said Mala Parker, Senior Vice President of Government & Public Affairs at IFDA. “These lawmakers have shown exceptional leadership in working collaboratively across party lines to find practical solutions to the challenges facing our industry to benefit America’s food supply chain.”
Both representatives have been instrumental in efforts to address the FDA traceability rule’s implementation challenges, demonstrating the type of pragmatic approach that IFDA values in its legislative partners.
“Thank you to IFDA for this recognition,” said Rep. Scott Franklin. “It’s been a privilege to work with Rep. Sanford Bishop and industry leaders to advance commonsense solutions for everyone in the food supply chain who work to feed millions nationwide. They need practical, flexible rules to deliver safe food without unnecessary red tape.”
“As is the case with most of what Congress deals with, issues such as the FDA’s food traceability rule and others faced by the foodservice distribution industry are complex and achieving the desired outcome depends on engaging all parties to the effort,” said Rep. Bishop “It was an honor and privilege to work alongside my colleague, Rep. Franklin, to tackle this important matter, and I would like to thank IFDA for honoring me with its Changemaker Award.
The representatives were presented with their awards on Thursday, June 5, 2025, during IFDA’s 2025 Washington Insight Conference at the Thompson Washington D.C. hotel.
About The International Foodservice Distributors Association
The International Foodservice Distributors Association is the premier trade association serving the foodservice distribution industry, representing companies that deliver food and food-related products to restaurants, healthcare facilities, schools, and other foodservice operations across the United States.
Media Contact:
Kristen Petersen
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
International Foodservice Distributors Association
kpetersen@ifdaonline.org
