United Fresh, which serves on the Steering Committee of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), helped develop a series of farm bill priorities found in the EAT Healthy America Act. The SCFBA is a national coalition of more than 100 specialty crop organizations, working to forge mutual objectives for the 2007 Farm Bill and to assure a common platform across regions, commodities and other interests.

"This bill is a comprehensive farm bill package that provides the necessary framework to enhance the competitiveness of the specialty crop industry and increase consumer consumption of fruits and vegetables," said Robert Guenther, senior vice-president of public policy at United Fresh and co-chair of the coalition’s Legislative Committee. Guenther applauded the authors’ legislative efforts "to introduce a farm bill policy that works toward ensuring the future prosperity and profitability of the specialty crop industry."

"The timing of this bill also coincides perfectly with the launch of the new Fruits and Veggies More Matters campaign, a public-private partnership between the CDC and the Produce for Better Health Foundation," said Guenther. "The campaign complements the nutritional goals of the EAT Healthy America Act, and together, they can help to improve the well being of all Americans."

According to U.S. Department of Agriculture data, specialty crops represent more than $50 billion in farm-gate value and account for more than 45 percent of farm-gate crop receipts. Specialty crop producers do not receive, nor favor, a direct payment program for themselves, yet the industry faces significant challenges. Therefore, it is imperative that agricultural policy gives the same amount of attention to the specialty crop industry as to other agricultural sectors that do receive direct payments. "By establishing Farm Bill programs that address the priorities of both specialty crops and program crops, our farm policy will be more equitable for all of agriculture," stated Guenther.

Some of the major issues addressed in the EAT Healthy America Act include the following:

• Competitiveness: Increases access to valuable export markets by increasing the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops program, the Market Access Program, the Block Grant Program, and by raising the profile for specialty crops within USDA, USTR, and other key federal agencies.

• Nutrition: Expands the USDA Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program in schools across the nation and develops nutrition programs that benefit consumers and assist producers by enhancing their markets.

• Research: Increases investment in research priorities for specialty crops, through the National Research Initiative, Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service, and Agriculture Research Service.

• Invasive Pests and Diseases: Increases funding, enhances resources, and expands programs to assist in the prevention, detection, and eradication of invasive plant pests and diseases.

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United Fresh Produce Association is a leading industry trade association committed to driving the growth and success of produce companies and their partners. United Fresh represents the interests of member companies throughout the global, fresh produce supply chain, including family-owned, private and publicly traded businesses as well as regional, national and international companies. The association was founded in 1904 to represent the produce industry, and recently took the name United Fresh as a result of the 2006 merger of the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association and the International Fresh-cut Produce Association.