POLICY
Taking the stage at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Washington Conference yesterday, the Make America Healthy Again mastermind sat down with CEO Cathy Burns to outline how he intends to disrupt the way Americans eat and the way our food is grown.
The U.S. senator from California says this new legislative package will provide new market opportunities and improve federal assistance for California’s specialty crop growers.
The tomato industry is currently facing a “perfect storm” of environmental, geopolitical and economic factors that have sent prices skyrocketing by 23% year over year.
From labor and water shortages to fraud and cartels, a fast-paced, insight-packed education session at Viva Fresh Expo 2026 in San Antonio, tackled some of the biggest challenges facing produce in the Tex-Mex corridor and beyond.
While the USDA begins rolling out long-awaited specialty crop grants, National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles warns that the $1 billion in emergency relief for the industry remains stuck in neutral, leaving farmers waiting on urgently needed relief that has yet to arrive.
A convergence of policy changes, holiday shutdowns, and increased application volume is leaving many growers waiting for critical harvest crews.
The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance joined more than 50 agricultural organizations from across the country on March 19 to urge assistance for America’s farmers.
The funding strengthens water storage and conveyance projects across the West, including $540 million for projects in California’s Central Valley.
Among the issues the national trade association highlighted at its annual Washington Summit is getting a relief package out of USDA and Congress to address the current economic crisis.
The National Potato Council CEO breaks down the push for a more resilient farm bill and why targeted relief is essential for the future of specialty crops and U.S. growers.
The agency has finalized stricter stocking standards requiring 250,000 stores to carry 28 varieties of whole foods while launching private sector partnerships to promote national dietary guidelines.
Former FDA policy manager Eric Stevens is set to join the International Fresh Produce Association to lead global regulatory engagement and science-based policy.
Industry leaders at Southern Exposure 2026 describe mounting pressure from environmental mandates and water competition that require a new era of transparent collaboration.
Why is a long-term farm bill even needed with the provisions included in the One Big Beautiful Bill? Industry leaders explain their views on the issue.
The third-generation grower and owner of Sklarczyk Seed Farm says this year’s agenda will capitalize on new dietary guidelines to promote potatoes as a staple of good health, ensuring fair trade practices, and removing nontariff trade barriers.
National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles details how the industry moved from the legislative sidelines to the heart of the 2026 Farm Bill.
Attorney Shawn Packer shares how regulatory changes are affecting ag labor, compliance requirements and operational risks.
In advance of Viva Fresh 2026, The Packer spoke with TIPA President and CEO Dante Galeazzi about the produce industry’s top challenges, growth opportunities and Texas’ robust contribution to fresh produce trade.
NCAE President John Hollay reports a change in how legislators and federal agencies view H-2A reform, pivoting toward a collaborative approach to protect the U.S. food economy.
USDA says it will provide $1 billion in assistance for specialty crops, sugar and commodities not covered through the previously announced Farmer Bridge Assistance program, but with $500 million in losses to just russet potatoes alone, the figure falls well short of the full funding needed.
The Packer sat down with the International Fresh Produce Association team to learn how the organization supports its members locally and connects them globally — all with the aim of increasing fresh produce consumption.
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján introduces the Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act. State lawmakers across the country are working to protect family grocery bills and ban electronic shelf labels.
Growers are navigating a harsh reality of a tightening squeeze between rising production costs and stagnant wholesale returns as they wait for a market correction.
From 25 years of negotiations in Mexico to the halls of Congress, The Packer’s 2026 Potato Person of the Year, Jared Balcom, says that honest dialogue and grower expertise are key to advocating for the industry on a global stage.
The National Grocers Association praises a push for federal investigations into discriminatory pricing practices, arguing that enforcing antitrust laws is essential to leveling the playing field for independent grocers.
As the industry transitions to an interim final rule and new wage methodologies, experts say the difference between a routine application and a costly audit lies in the fine print of job orders.
Economic losses to specialty crops last year were on a level that can put farming operations out of business, with the American Farm Bureau Federation estimating billions in losses to almonds, apples, lettuce, potatoes, strawberries and blueberries alone.