Produce and farm groups congratulated President-elect Trump on his Nov. 5 election victory over Democratic challenger Kamala Harris and said they want to see their priorities addressed in the new administration.
Trump won with overwhelming support from rural America and edged Harris in the battleground states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan.
With a few states still counting votes, the Associated Press reported the morning of Nov. 6 that Trump won 277 electoral votes, seven more than needed to claim victory, with Harris tallying 224 electoral votes. Trump’s lead in the popular vote the morning of Nov. 6 was 51% (71.4 million votes) to 47.5% (66.5 million votes) for Harris.
Trump, who won election in 2016 as the 45th president, now will be the 47th and just the second candidate in U.S. history to win nonconsecutive White House terms.
On the morning of Nov. 6, the Associated Press reported that Republicans gained three seats in the Senate, with the party’s majority ensured with 52 seats in the 100-seat chamber.
Many races remained to be called in the House of Representatives on Nov. 6, with the Associated Press reporting that Republicans had won 198 seats and the Democrats 180. Control of the House requires 218.
Reaction
“Farm Bureau congratulates President-elect Donald Trump on his election to lead our great nation, as well as the representatives and senators elected to serve in the 119th Congress,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said in a statement. “We are committed to working with our nation’s leaders to strengthen agriculture and rural America, and we look forward to continuing that work in the days ahead.”
Duvall said rural Americans need a new, modernized farm bill.
“The two-year delay is unacceptable. The new administration must also address the impending tax hikes, which would crush many of America’s farmers and ranchers when stacked on top of inflation, high supply costs and market instability,” he said. “Another big issue on farmers’ minds is the labor shortage and skyrocketing costs.”
International Fresh Produce Association CEO Cathy Burns said the fresh produce industry will work with the new administration on industry priorities.
“As we move into the next chapter of U.S. leadership, IFPA stands ready to work collaboratively with the incoming president and the new administration,” Burns said. “We are unwavering in our mission — to build our members’ prosperity by increasing access to and consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, and floral products, a critical step in building a healthier, more resilient future for all Americans.”
In her statement, Burns said priorities for IFPA members remain clear.
“Congress must take swift action to pass a new, inclusive farm bill that addresses the evolving needs of U.S. agriculture,” Burns said. “For the fresh produce industry, this legislation is a cornerstone, supplying critical resources to growers and producers and ensuring the stability of our nation’s food supply. The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, which IFPA co-chairs alongside over 200 organizations, is making the case for a robust package of policy and program proposals to Congress, aimed at strengthening specialty crop agriculture and broadening the reach of U.S. agricultural policy.”
Burns said more than 80% of the farm bill’s funding supports nutrition programs, yet only 1 in 10 Americans meet recommended dietary guidelines for fruits and vegetables.
“This is a crucial moment to reshape our nation’s food supply by expanding access to fresh produce to improve health outcomes for all,” she said. “IFPA will remain a driving force in advancing our national nutrition strategy and supporting initiatives to end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases. Our commitment to ‘Fight for Fresh’ is unwavering, as we harness the strength of our global produce and floral community to make fruits and vegetables both accessible and appealing to American consumers, while advancing supply chain improvements to make this vision a reality.”
Farm labor is a central issue for U.S. growers, she said.
“The viability of many American growers is at risk, so Congress must finally act to meaningfully address the critical lack of on-farm labor that threatens our ability to meet consumer demand for fresh, nutritious food,” Burns said. “The produce sector relies on an affordable, stable workforce and is currently facing crippling workforce shortages and rising costs that routinely exceed crop values. The H-2A program is the primary labor source for U.S. produce growers, yet Congress is paralyzed by decades of inaction and has ignored the need for reforms to improve the program’s accessibility to producers and its reliability in securely vetting and protecting temporary foreign workers. IFPA will continue to fight for the need for reliable labor solutions that ensure American growers can continue to feed our nation and the world. Together, we can build a healthier world and a sustainable future for fresh produce.”
IFPA and FreshPAC will host a Post-Election Analysis Webinar featuring Amy Walter, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report. This session for IFPA members and partners will provide an in-depth review of the election results and insights on potential policy impacts moving forward.
Sara Stickler, president and CEO of the Global Cold Chain Alliance, said in a statement that the group looks forward to working with all branches of government to promote “common sense, consistent and pro-enterprise policies that enable cold chain businesses to deliver for their customers.“
“We are also committed to promoting the growth of exports from U.S.-based food production and broader manufacturing sectors,” Stickler said. “We will engage constructively in the policy discussion about future trade policy and continue to make the case for the importance of maintaining balanced and resilient trade routes for food and other temperature-controlled products across the world.”
