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Government Relations: Regulatory Interaction

 

PMA Testimony before USDA Farm Bill Nutrition Forum

October 14, 2005

Ms. Kate Coler

USDA Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services

3101 Park Center Drive

Alexandria, VA 22302

Thank you, Undersecretary Coler, for this opportunity to offer input on critical nutrition issues affecting the nation. I am Lee Mannering, manager of government relations for the Produce Marketing Association, and we appreciate that USDA is offering these local forums.

PMA represents companies throughout the food distribution chain that market more than 90% of fresh produce sold at the consumer level. We are funded primarily by members’ dues, revenues from exhibits, product sales, and meeting registrations.

Our purpose is to help advance the marketing of fresh produce, and, ultimately, to get consumers to eat more fruits and vegetables. We believe that U.S. federal policy, including that established in the Farm Bill, is crucial to increasing consumption of these healthful products that are instrumental in the fight against chronic disease and obesity.

PMA believes U.S. policy should be consistent, and we encourage all agriculture and feeding programs to mirror the new federal dietary guidelines that recommend five to 13 servings of fruits and vegetables a day for good health. We also believe that a strong, vital production industry is the foundation for abundant, affordable availability of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Today we are focusing on nutrition policy.  

  • First, we recommend a new emphasis on domestic communication and marketing efforts to inform consumers about the many benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables and to enhance industry competitiveness.

Produce makes up about 20% of total agriculture receipts, yet current federal expenditures for fruits and vegetables are only about 1% of agricultural spending. Creating this type of program helps level that gap while establishing a cooperative program to leverage both industry and government funds. 

  • We would also like to see more effective efforts to encourage increased consumption of fruits and vegetables among food stamp participants and those eligible for food stamps both through the Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program and direct food stamp benefits. These programs must reflect the dietary guidelines so that Americans counting on federal assistance can increase consumption of these healthful products. 
  • Third, we recommend increased funding for effective and efficient fruit and vegetable commodity purchases, including the popular Department of Defense Fresh Program. This will help assure that school children have access to a wider variety and quantity of fresh fruits and vegetables. 
  • We urge expansion of the School Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program to 100 schools in every state. The pilot program proved successful and was made permanent. We need to expand this to reach more children throughout the country.

Both the D o D and snack program recommendations will get more produce to kids, which is important because on any given day, 45% of kids eat no fruit and 20% eat less than one vegetable – far short of the 4 cups or 8 servings they need a day. 

  • We urge USDA to formally establish the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program as a permanent initiative. This program provides fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture programs to low-income seniors in the United States. While much consideration has been paid to children's health, it is imperative that due attention be given to all population groups – particularly senior citizens, who will have increased access to fresh produce through this valuable program.  
  • Finally, we encourage research to examine why consumers do not eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and to explore the health benefits of fruits and vegetables.

Again, PMA appreciates this opportunity to share our viewpoints on nutrition policy with USDA. Please call upon us if we can be of further assistance. We look forward to working with you. Thank you.

 
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