With no drama and big support from both parties, Tom Vilsack is again the U.S. Agriculture Secretary, this time for President Joe Biden.
In a reprise of his Cabinet post under President Barack Obama, Vilsack confirmed by a vote of 92 to 7 by the U.S. Senate Feb. 23.
Vilsack is a friend of the fresh produce industry, United Fresh Produce Association president and CEO Tom Stenzel said in a statement.
“On issues ranging from food and nutrition security to labor challenges in agriculture, Secretary Vilsack has shown commitment to finding positive solutions,” Stenzel said. “We are particularly looking forward to working with Secretary Vilsack on a new Food Box program which has proved to be a critical step in providing healthy fresh fruits and vegetables to those in need, while supporting small farms and distributors around the country.”
Leaders of several produce associations congratulated Vilsack.
Dave Puglia, Western Growers president and CEO, said in a statement that Vilsack’s relationship with the industry and Western Growers yielded positive policy actions during his previous tenure as Agriculture Secretary. “Looking ahead, we must band together to address short term, pandemic-related needs such as funding for worker safety costs, as well as larger and longer-term threats to the viability of farming in the West,” Puglia said. “Over the next four years, we know Secretary Vilsack will work with us as he has in the past to ensure economic prosperity for America’s family farmers.”
Produce Marketing Association CEO Cathy Burns said that Vilsack previously worked with PMA and its members on issues including fresh fruits and vegetables in school feeding programs, increased SNAP benefits, and supporting various USDA committees with industry insight.
“In light of our announcement in joining the steering committee of the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA), we also look forward to working with Secretary Vilsack on devising meaningful incentives, science-based metrics and durable policies for climate-smart agriculture that recognize the unique aspect of the specialty crop industry,” Burns said.
Under pressure
While congratulating Vilsack, The Friends of the Earth president Erich Pica said in a statement that Vilsack “must be willing to take on the agribusiness lobby.” “He must transform the USDA to support a more diversified, regenerative, healthy, and just food system,” Pica said. “He cannot rely on harmful policies like subsidizing biofuels and carbon markets that benefit Big Ag corporations at the expense of communities of color, low-income people, and the planet. He must ensure economic justice for independent and Black, Indigenous, and other farmers of color, protections for food workers, and access to healthy food for every American.”
