The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) welcomes Congress’s overdue action to reopen the federal government, which helps restore stability to the essential programs that sustain America’s food system.
“Congressional gridlock put 48 million Americans at risk of losing access to fresh fruits and vegetables. With government operations restored, critical nutrition programs like SNAP and WIC can once again do what they were designed to do: connect growers and families to ensure access to fresh, nutritious food,” said IFPA VP of Government Relations Rebeckah Adcock.
“Reopening the government enables USDA to address urgently needed economic relief for growers that had been stalled amid the shutdown. Farmers have been waiting for economic assistance through emergency support mechanisms available to ease mounting financial pressures.
“The shutdown intensified financial pressures on American families and growers alike. Getting relief programs tailored to the unique needs of specialty crop growers moving again is vital to sustaining farm operations and ensuring consumers continue to have access to fresh, affordable produce.
“IFPA also applauds the Department of Labor’s actions to alleviate workforce disruptions that occurred during the shutdown, which took place during a pivotal season for U.S. agriculture. Restoring H-2A visa processing was essential to the industry’s ability to continue operations.
“Now that government operations are back on track, we urge Congress to build on this momentum by taking action on addressing the need for aid to specialty crop growers for ongoing extreme adverse economic conditions and advancing a streamlined (“skinny”) Farm Bill that includes key investments for specialty crops and agricultural research. These investments strengthen the fresh produce supply chain from field to table and ensure that America’s fruit and vegetable industry prospers into the future.
“IFPA and its members remain committed to working with policymakers on both sides of the aisle to ensure that all Americans have access to healthy, affordable food and that growers have the resources and stability they need to feed the nation.”
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