The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance and its allies in Congress are encouraging lawmakers to protect farm bill investments in specialty crops.
The alliance issued a statement in response to this week’s letter from the chairs of the Congressional Specialty Crop Caucus — Reps. Jim Costa, D-Caif.; David Rouzer, R-N.C.; Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich.; and David G. Valadao, R-Calif. — to leaders of the U.S. House and Senate, according to a news release.
“The status quo for U.S. specialty crop growers is simply not sustainable, and this week’s letter from the Congressional Specialty Crop Caucus reinforces the importance of key specialty crop investments to enhancing the competitiveness of growers and supporting the overall health and well-being of all Americans,” the statement said. “Modest investments in specialty crops could be transformational for growers that have historically not been served by farm bills in the same way as other commodities. That’s why we echo the chairs in urging passage of a full five-year, bipartisan farm bill that can be signed into law this year — one that includes more investment, not less, in specialty crops.”
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, according to the group. In early 2023, the alliance released a set of key policy priorities as part of its farm bill recommendations. Specialty crop production, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery and greenhouse commodities, contributes significantly to the U.S economy, accounting for $64.7 billion in farm gate value and 30 percent of farm cash receipts for crops, the release said.
The SCFBA is co-chaired by Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association; Mike Joyner, president of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association; Dave Puglia, president and CEO of Western Growers; and Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council.
