IFPA CEO Urges U.S. Senate to Enhance Produce Accessibility

The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) CEO Cathy Burns testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry today. During her testimony, she urged lawmakers to pursue legislation aimed at improving federal produce incentives, modernizing nutrition programs, and increasing financial support for American growers. Burns stated that improving fruit and vegetable consumption is not only a public health concern but also a crucial economic issue.

The Health Crisis of Low Produce Consumption

Burns highlighted a startling statistic: nine out of ten Americans do not meet the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables. This deficiency, she argued, is contributing to escalating rates of chronic diseases and rising healthcare costs across the nation.

Policy Recommendations

In her testimony, Burns outlined five specific legislative actions she hopes Congress will adopt through federal nutrition programs:

• Fully fund the WIC fruit and vegetable benefit and expand options for online redemption.
• Enhance produce incentives within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
• Ensure that school meals include a diverse selection of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Expand the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program to reach more elementary schools.
• Modernize USDA procurement to prioritize nutritional value over the lowest cost, while increasing access to domestically grown produce.

Additionally, she called for integrating produce prescriptions into federal health programs and allowing Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts to cover fruits and vegetables.

“The science is clear: consuming more fruits and vegetables is one of the most effective strategies for improving health, preventing chronic diseases, and reducing healthcare expenses,” Burns stated. “Yet today, nine out of ten Americans fall short. We can – and must – do better.”

The Economic Impact on American Agriculture

Burns drew attention to the strong relationship between consumer demand for fresh produce and the financial stability of American agriculture. She noted that U.S. fruit and vegetable growers support over two million American jobs and contribute more than $335 billion to the national economy.

“By increasing produce consumption, we also bolster American farmers,” Burns emphasized. “This is an opportunity to enhance public health while fostering economic growth in rural communities.”

Addressing Challenges Faced by Growers

Burns also raised concerns about challenges facing U.S. growers, including rising production costs, labor shortages, regulatory pressures, and the increasing frequency of natural disasters. Over the past twenty years, the nation has lost more than 230,000 farms.

“America’s produce growers are prepared to meet rising demand,” Burns said. “However, they need strategic investments to remain competitive and resilient.”

She advocated for ongoing federal investment in specialty crop research, technical support, risk management tools, conservation programs, and a coordinated national strategy for produce packaging that balances sustainability, food safety, shelf life, and cost-effectiveness.

Food Safety as a Priority

In conclusion, Burns emphasized the importance of sustained funding for the FDA’s Human Foods Program, consistent implementation of traceability regulations, and reliable support for state food safety programs. She described these elements as fundamental to a modern food safety system.

“Congress has a crucial role in ensuring that every American has access to fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables,” Burns remarked. “By implementing the right policies, we can enhance health outcomes while strengthening U.S. agriculture and rural economies. The IFPA and our members are ready to collaborate with Congress to transform our policy priorities into actionable initiatives for farms and fields across the nation.”

IFPA represents a diverse array of stakeholders within the global fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain, including growers, shippers, retailers, foodservice operators, and distributors.

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