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Government Relations: Regulatory InteractionPMA Comments on Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition ProgramJuly 22, 2005 To: http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic Re: 7 CFR Part 249
The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) is pleased to submit these comments on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service’s "Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) Proposed Rule.”
PMA is the largest global not-for-profit trade association representing companies that market fresh fruits and vegetables. We represent 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.
Like the U.S. government and other health authorities, PMA recommends that consumers eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Fresh produce plays an important role in efforts to improve the public’s health by offering flavorful, nutritious, and convenient products that will help stem the obesity epidemic and fight many chronic diseases.
Fruits and vegetables serve as the “power players” in federally approved programs such as the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPyramid – both of which recommend increased daily intake of produce.
While much consideration has been paid to increased obesity levels among children, it is imperative that due attention be given to all population groups – particularly senior citizens, who will have increased access to fresh produce through the SFMNP.
PMA applauds USDA’s efforts to make the SFMNP a permanent program and give senior citizens additional opportunities to buy fruits, vegetables, and herbs with coupons at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture programs.
According to USDA data, during the 2001 market/harvest season, nearly 420,000 low-income seniors received coupons that were accepted by 8,500 farmers through 1,200 farmers’ markets, nearly 900 roadside stands, and 49 community supported agriculture programs. Close to 85% of the total grant funds awarded was expended for the purchase of eligible fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Clearly these statistics underscore the critical need to continue to provide this population with access to fresh produce.
PMA also agrees with USDA’s assessment that nutrition education is an integral component of any effective nutrition assistance program. Since SFMNP State agencies have been required to include nutrition education as part of their program design in order to receive a Federal SFMNP grant, PMA supports the proposed rule which requires all participating State agencies to describe the nutrition education that will be provided to SFMNP recipients and that the content of the nutrition education be age- and circumstance-appropriate for SFMNP recipients. PMA applauds USDA for including the importance of consuming fruits and vegetables in nutrition education programs that also emphasize the relationship of proper nutrition to the total concept of good health.
PMA appreciates the opportunity to present these comments. We commend the agency for its thorough review of this and other food issues. Please do not hesitate to call upon us if we can be of further assistance. We look forward to working with you.
Kathy Means, CAE Vice President of Government Relations Produce Marketing Association
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