In a strong showing of support from across the country, United Fresh and other agriculture organizations sent a letter on Wednesday to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) asking her to make the child nutrition reauthorization legislation a high priority this year.

"We felt it was essential to have our political leaders understand that agriculture is an important stakeholder in this debate and we feel it is critical for Congress to act this year on helping increase the availability and access to healthy and nutritious foods for children," said Robert Guenther, senior vice president of public policy for United Fresh. 

After several meetings over the last few weeks with the White House, USDA and key congressional leaders, it has become apparent that pushing for time on the congressional schedule is a key component for consideration of this important piece of legislation.  The Senate Agriculture Committee has already passed their version of the bill and Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee is expected to introduce the House version of the legislation sometime this week. The letter falls on the heels of a similar letter sent early last month by 221 members of Congress urging Speaker Pelosi to move the legislation.

A full transcript of the letter can be found by clicking here.