Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance Speaks on Farm Bill
Over the past two years, the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, a national coalition of more than 120 specialty crop organizations, have been outspoken in our efforts to shape a Farm Bill that is geared towards the 21st Century marketplace. This includes a focus on producing a safer, healthier and more nutritious food supply for all of us, especially our children. I am pleased to report that the U.S. House Agriculture Committee has just passed a Farm Bill which makes a strong investment in nutrition, but our need for improving the consumption of fruits and vegetables is far from over.

The USDA Fruit and Vegetable Snack program is one of those ways that we can turn the tide on child obesity by establishing a routine for children eating fruits and vegetables early in their lives. This routine will give our children the necessary fruits and vegetables they need while they grow into young adults. Five years ago, this program received very little funding but achieved results. In this Farm Bill, this program is budgeted to receive $350 million for five years, which covers each of the 50 states. You would think a program that is so simple that gives children an opportunity to eat fresh fruits and vegetables is a no-brainer, but our coalition had to work long and hard to achieve this level of support.

We are advocating for the expansion of “state competitiveness projects” which concentrate on the local and sometimes unique priorities to a specific region. Mushrooms, potatoes, Christmas trees, and apples were all big winners in Pennsylvania because of selected projects to address the challenges faced by specialty crop growers. For example, the “Celebrating Mushroom Month” emphasized the culinary value and health benefits of mushrooms while increasing the state’s share of the competitive mushroom market. The viability of a potato dehydration facility in Schuylkill County was studied and resulted in the development of a business plan and further pursuit of financial support for the venture. A grant to the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association enabled the organization to promote state grown trees and nursery stock on both the wholesale and retail levels. The sale of “Eastern Select” Pennsylvania apples also increased due to market planning and analysis. We believe that the Farm Bill should be more competitive and programs like these allow producers to expand their markets.

The specialty crop industry represents nearly half of all cash crop receipts in America, yet agricultural policies in the past have not been equitable and favor some crops over others. Our priorities include provides critical trade assistance and market promotion tools that will grow international markets for specialty crops; expands research and initiatives to combat pest and disease reducing the economic losses to plant agriculture; and, invests in “cutting-edge” research making the nation’s food supply safer, more economical, better-tasting and nutritious. In the coming weeks, Congress will put its seal of approval on a new Farm Bill and we hope that these policies reflect more competition and a commitment to safer, healthier and more nutritious eating habits.

Robert Guenther is the Senior Vice President for Public Policy at the United Fresh Produce Association. He also serves as Secretary of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, a national coalition of more than 120 specialty crop organizations.