United Fresh members strongly support all efforts to expand federal government investment in the U.S. produce industry in order to increase the competitiveness of the domestic industry. We believe that specialty crop agriculture - predominately fruits and vegetables - should receive a much stronger funding commitment within U.S. agricultural policy, with investments focused on research, infrastructure, nutrition, new technology, and other areas to help producers compete more effectively.
Over the past several years, United Fresh has focused on two separate legislative avenues to increase funding for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program: 1) securing appropriated funds from federal appropriators annually, and 2) securing mandatory funds through the farm bill, written every 5 years. Currently, the program receives $7 million a year, which was captured through the FY 2006 and FY 2007 appropriations process. This year, the House and Senate have both appropriated additional funding for this important program. However, the new funds are not realized until the FY 2008 appropriations bills are passed by Congress and signed by the President.
On a parallel track, United Fresh is also focused on securing mandatory funding for this program through the 2007 Farm bill, a bill that is written to provide mandatory funding for 5 years. Currently, both the House passed version of the 2007 Farm Bill and the drafted Senate version have significant levels of funding for the program. While the House version has been approved by the House members, the Senate is at a standstill over its version of the bill. United Fresh is urging its members to contact their U.S. Senators and encourage them to support the 2007 Farm Bill, S. 2302, the Food & Energy Security Act of 2007.
Action
United Fresh urges Members of Congress to support the language providing mandatory funding for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, included in the House-passed version (H.R. 2419) and the Senate-drafted version (S.2302) of the farm bill.
Essential Policy Resources
TAKE ACTION NOW! Tell your legislators you support the produce industry.
