U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the assignment of $10 million to state specialty crop block grant programs. The funding is provided for in the 2008 Farm Bill and focuses on several important priorities for the fresh fruit and vegetable industry, including marketing, food safety, pest and disease research, nutrition programs and quality and technology enhancements. States with the highest production levels of specialty crops received the most block grant funds. This announcement is the third infusion of federal funding into the fruit and vegetable industry over the last three months through the Farm Bill, including $28 million for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative and $50 million school participation in all 50 states for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program for the 2008-2009 school year. According to Robert Guenther, senior vice president of public policy at United Fresh, "Over the last few months, the fruit and vegetable industry has seen first hand the efforts of United Fresh and allied organizations in the Farm Bill with this important investment of federal funding. There has been a lot of talk lately in Washington about bail-outs and stimulus packages for the country. At the same time, the produce industry is seeing real investment – right now at $90 million – in much needed long-term research, commodity procurement, and infrastructure." Robert continued, "This funding will continue to grow over the next 5 years and the produce industry will realize almost $1 billion in investment from these three programs alone."

For more information about specialty crop block grants, please contact Robert at 202-03-3400 ext. 409.