|
Click to listen to this article
|
The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), a national coalition of more than 200 specialty crop organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products, this week endorsed nutrition and organic bills that cover key policy priorities outlined in the group’s 2023 Farm Bill recommendations:
- Fresh Produce Procurement Reform Act, introduced by Senator Sherrod Brown (OH) and Reps. David Valadao (CA-22) and Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), would direct USDA to implement a fresh produce purchasing program utilizing local and regional supply chains to distribute perishable fruits and vegetables to nutrition-insecure populations.
- Continuous Improvement and Accountability in Organic Standards Act, introduced by Reps. Dan Newhouse (WA-4), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), David Valadao (CA-22) and Chellie Pingree (ME-1), would amend the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 to provide a streamlined and predictable process, informed by direct stakeholder input and based on the best available data, to review and revise organic standards implemented by the USDA when necessary.
Specialty crop production, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery and greenhouse commodities, contributes significantly to the U.S economy, accounting for $64.7 billion in farm gate value and 30 percent of farm cash receipts for crops.
