As the New Year begins in Washington, the produce industry will have a full agenda to deal with when Congress returns officially next week.  Food safety legislation, child nutrition reauthorization and possibly comprehensive immigration reform, as well as climate change, health care, a possible transportation reauthorization and the looming prospect of card-check all may find their way onto the congressional table in the coming year.

In addition, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) announced that he may begin hearings on the next Farm Bill reauthorization, which will be the first opportunity to expand on the efforts of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance.

"As we look forward to this year, United's government relations team will be working around the clock to make sure that our member's issues are fully addressed in many of these legislative priorities," said Robert Guenther, senior vice president of public policy at United Fresh.

In terms of priority, Congress is expected to first finish up health care reform and then tackle the economic issues that are affecting the country.

"We want to make sure that as Congress looks at the economic issues we currently face, that we are particularly concerned that they take into account the importance and diversity of the produce industry from field to table," added Guenther.