The United Fresh Produce Association has announced the hiring of Mollie Van Lieu as its senior director of nutrition policy, following the retirement of long-time nutrition policy leader Lorelei DiSogra.
Van Lieu is currently senior associate, government relations at The Pew Charitable Trusts, where she has led federal government advocacy for the Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods Project, and she has also been instrumental in advancing school food policies to bring more healthful and nutritious foods to kids.
“I am thrilled that Mollie will be joining us full-time on the United Fresh team as we’ve already been working closely on fruit and vegetable issues for many years,” said United Fresh president and chief executive Tom Stenzel. “Mollie is highly respected by her peers in the public health and nutrition community, and has outstanding relationships with nutrition stakeholders on Capitol Hill and in all of the relevant regulatory agencies.”
From 2011 to 2014, Van Lieu held the position of senior education policy strategist for the National PTA, where she served as the association’s senior lobbyist handling education and children’s issues, and worked closely with United Fresh on child nutrition issues.
“United Fresh has long been a leader in strengthening the nation’s nutrition programmes,” said Van Lieu. “Having worked with Lorelei and other United Fresh team members for several years, I am honoured to join them as we build upon the progress made to increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.”
