WASHINGTON, DC - The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is working hard to advocate for the industry, recently meeting with new members of the 118^th Congress. Following that meeting, a small group of members sat down with incoming House Agriculture Committee Chair Representative GT Thompson and other influential House leaders at the Pennsylvania Farm Show to discuss the upcoming Farm Bill.

“With the House of Representatives up and running into [a] busy year, Congress is turning its attention to the most important work, like the upcoming farm bill. Farm policy translates to food policy, and IFPA is committed to ensuring key members of Congress understand who the fresh produce and floral industry is, what our needs are, and why we need their leadership to succeed,” said IFPA Vice President of U.S. Government Relations Rebeckah Adcock. “We met last week with the new members of Congress to build those relationships early. Now we are in Pennsylvania with Chairman Thompson and the House Ag Committee to support their leadership, share our perspectives and set the stage for IFPA to be the lead industry representative and resource to Capitol Hill.”

The show took place on January 13, where the association’s members took the time to discuss not only the Farm Bill with Chairman Thompson, but also IFPA and the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance priorities, a release explained.

The one-on-one meeting was followed by a Farm Bill listening session hosted by Thompson and attended by several Pennsylvania-based association members representing a variety of businesses across the supply chain.

IFPA provided the statement of principles from the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance along with state profiles from its U.S. economic impact study of the fresh produce industry to each legislator.

Topics discussed included:

• Expanding access and availability to safe, wholesome, healthy, and affordable foods like fresh produce
• Mandating a proportional share of Farm Bill resources and spending for specialty crops
• Establishing a fair and level playing field for American specialty crop producers and eliminating trade barriers that discriminate against American specialty crop exports
• Enabling a sustained and meaningful federal investment into specialty crop research and innovation
• Enhancing the ability of specialty crop producers to participate fully in all USDA conservation programs as well as any initiatives to address global climate change

As IFPA continues to represent the needs of the industry on the government level, AndNowUKnow will share the latest updates.

International Fresh Produce Association