American Bakers Association Hosts Congressional Breakfast Briefing to Showcase Commercial Baking Industry’s Role in American Communities
July 30, 2025 | 2 min to read
On July 22, 2025, the American Bakers Association hosted a Congressional Breakfast Briefing to highlight the baking industry’s crucial role in feeding American families and enhancing communities. Featured speakers discussed priorities such as workforce development and supply chain efficiency, emphasizing the industry’s contribution to nearly 800,000 jobs. ABA President Eric Dell noted the significant impact of trade policies and workforce challenges while underscoring the baking sector as a cornerstone of American manufacturing.
Washington, DC – The American Bakers Association (ABA) hosted a Congressional Breakfast Briefing on July 22, 2025, and spoke to staffers from over 55 Congressional offices on the baking industry’s vital role in feeding American families and strengthening communities across the country.
The breakfast briefing featured a distinguished panel of industry leaders who discussed key priorities, including manufacturing job creation, workforce development, supply chain efficiency, and the industry’s positive impact on constituents nationwide. Powering nearly 800,000 jobs across the United States, the commercial baking industry is comprised of skilled professionals who produce the baked goods that keep shelves stocked, families nourished, and communities strong.
“The commercial baking industry is a cornerstone of American manufacturing and food production,” said Eric Dell, ABA President and CEO, and moderator of the event. “This briefing was an important opportunity to showcase the scale, craftmanship, complexity, and innovation behind today’s baking manufacturing while highlighting how our member companies contribute to their local communities.”
The panel included representatives from across the commercial baking supply chain:
- Jantzen Nishioka, Senior Director of Food Ingredient Procurement & CRM, Dawn Foods
- Brian Dwyer, Senior Vice President, Manufacturing Operations, Aunt Millie’s
- Matt Craig, President, Division Food, Health & Nutrition, Coperion
- Mike Scouten, President of Global Bakery Sales, Middleby Bakery
Key topics included:
- Food safety protocols and nutritional innovation in baked goods
- Workforce challenges and opportunities in skilled trades and technical expertise
- The impact of trade policies, including tariffs, on ingredients and finished products
- The potential influence of recent tax incentives for manufacturing on business investment decisions
About the American Bakers Association
The American Bakers Association (ABA) is the largest, most established, and diverse trade association for the commercial baking industry in the United States. ABA’s community includes more than 375 member companies representing commercial baking facilities and the extensive industry supply chain.
Since 1897, ABA has served as the voice of the baking industry, offering compelling advocacy, insightful thought leadership, and comprehensive research on industry trends. ABA members also benefit from extensive business services including premier networking events, impactful knowledge sharing, and effective workforce development programs and training resources. ABA is committed to enhancing its mission by growing the category and promoting the industry as the destination workplace.