News.MikeCallicrate.com | A NoBull News Service

Agriculture groups are not happy with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s MAHA Commission report, which targets the use of pesticides. | Melissa Majchrzak/AP

The meetings come as Trump administration officials aim to soothe tensions with agriculture representatives, who have bashed a May report from the MAHA Commission for targeting pesticides and have been hoping to influence the White House’s final policy recommendations, due later this summer. POLITICO first reported officials’ plans to meet with industry groups on Friday.

The list of invitees includes agriculture lobbying heavyweights like the American Farm Bureau Federation, the International Fresh Produce Association and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. It also has some other notable groups, like PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, which have clashed with MAHA leaders looking to implement soda bans on federal nutrition programs.

The White House’s public liaison office sent out the invites, said one person familiar with the talks, granted anonymity to discuss the schedule. They added that they got the impression the meetings are simply a “box check exercise.”

“We’re all very interested to see how these meetings play out over the next week and if it is a meaningful gesture or not,” said another agriculture industry insider. “Is this just an exercise in placating stakeholders?”

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Some lawmakers, like Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman (R-Ark.), have also been invited to White House meetings regarding the agriculture impact of the MAHA Commission, according to a third person familiar with the plans.

Here’s the full list of meetings, per the schedule:

Tuesday, June 10

The so-called specialty crop group, which represents producers of fruits and vegetables, will meet with White House officials at 1:30 p.m.

• AmericanHort
• International Fresh Produce Association
• National Potato Council
• National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
• Sugar Cane League

Later Tuesday afternoon, at 2:30 p.m., a group of “agricultural input” organizations will meet with administration officials.

• Agricultural Retailers Association
• American Feed Industry Association
• American Seed Trade Association
• CropLife America
• The Fertilizer Institute
• National Association of State Departments of Agriculture

Wednesday, June 11

The White House has invited lobbyists and leaders from protein, meat and dairy industry groups for a conversation at 1:00 p.m.

• Meat Institute
• National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
• National Pork Producers Council
• National Chicken Council
• National Turkey Federation
• National Milk Producers Federation
• International Dairy Foods Association

Friday, June 13

Fast food representatives will be at the White House at 10:30 a.m.

• Restaurant Brands International
• International Franchise Association
• McDonald’s
• Yum! Brands
• Focus Brands

Later Friday afternoon, at 2 p.m., restaurant industry groups and companies will meet with officials.

• National Restaurant Association
• Yum! Brands (again)
• Bloomin’ Brands Inc.

Monday, June 16

The White House has assembled “small agricultural commodity” groups to meet at 3 p.m.

• USA Rice Federation
• U.S. Beet Sugar Association
• National Cotton Council

Wednesday, June 18

The White House will hear from companies representing the “large grocers” category at 3 p.m.

• National Grocers Association
• American Frozen Food Institute
• Walmart
• Amazon
• Target
• Whole Foods
• Publix Super Markets Inc.
• Instacart

Tuesday, June 24

Regional grocers will meet with White House officials at 11 a.m.

• Kroger
• HEB
• Meijer
• Sprouts
• Albertson’s
• Ahold Delhaize

Later that day, at 1:30 p.m., beverage companies and trade groups will meet with officials. This is a notable group, given MAHA leaders’ criticisms of sweetened beverage representatives as officials look to implement soda bans from federal nutrition programs.

• PepsiCo
• Coca-Cola
• American Beverage Association

The final meeting listed on the obtained schedule is with the American Farm Bureau Federation at 2 p.m., though the invite doesn’t specify if solely federal Farm Bureau officials will attend or if state farm bureau officials will join, too.

Copyright © 2025 by POLITICO LLC. To subscribe to Pro, please go to politicopro.com.

POLITICO, LLC, 1000 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209, USA