Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance endorses legislation in line with recommendations

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance has endorsed three pieces of legislation addressing priorities addressing the group’s 2023 Farm Bill recommendations in areas including research, nutrition and trade.

The SCFBA is a national coalition of more than 200 specialty crop organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products. It is co-chaired by Dave Puglia, president and CEO of Western Growers; Kam Quarles, president of the National Potato Council; and Mike Joyner, Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association president. Robert Guenther, IFPA chief public policy officer, serves as secretariat.

Its farm bill recommendations can be viewed here (.pdf).

The endorsed legislation:

• Specialty Crop Research Act of 2023, introduced by Rep. Elissa Slotkin, would increase mandatory funding for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative and IR-4.
• GusNIP Expansion Act of 2023, introduced by Reps. Rick Crawford and Dan Kildee, would enhance and expand the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, providing low-income Americans with greater access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Expanding Agricultural Exports Act, introduced by Sens. Angus King, Joni Ernst, Tina Smith, Susan Collins, and Chuck Grassley and Reps. Dan Newhouse, Jim Costa, Tracey Mann, Kim Schrier, Ashley Hinson, Jimmy Panetta, Bradley Finstad, and Chellie Pingree, would double the funding for the Market Access Program to $400 million.

“The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance has long advocated for investments in the competitiveness and sustainability of the U.S. specialty crop industry to produce a strong return for both farmers and all Americans — it’s foundational to everything we do,” the SCFBA co-chairs said in a statement. “That’s why we are grateful for those in the U.S. Senate and House who continue to champion policy ideas that will improve access to fruits and vegetables in federal nutrition programs and enhance the long-term competitiveness of the industry.”