WASHINGTON – The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) today called on Congress to prioritize strong farm bill commitments in specialty crops during testimony before the U.S. House Agriculture Committee.
Dana Brennan, vice president of corporate affairs at Grimmway Farms and chair of IFPA’s U.S. Council Public Policy Committee, represented IFPA members nationwide in testimony addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the specialty crop industry. Based in Bakersfield, Calif., Grimmway Farms is one of the world’s largest carrot producers and a top organic grower in the United States.
“Fresh produce is the cornerstone of both American agriculture and public health…contributing billions annually to U.S. agricultural output. Beyond economics, we provide the healthiest foods available—essential to combating diet-related diseases and improving public health,” Brennan told lawmakers. “But this vital sector is under siege. Regulatory overreach, labor shortages, and outdated policies threaten our ability to grow, harvest, and deliver fresh food.”
Brennan thanked House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson and committee members who helped pass much-needed funding for critical farm bill programs in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). However, she noted the law does not specify the parameters of those investments and omits crucial policy proposals that specialty crop growers need to remain competitive.
“As we move into the final stretch of farm bill negotiations for 2025, the specialty crop industry remains focused on ensuring that federal farm policy reflects the diversity and complexity of modern American agriculture,” she noted.
During her testimony, Brennan urged Congress to:
- Expand research and development in automation, mechanization, and pest management to address rising labor and production costs.
- Modernize crop insurance and safety nets so specialty crop growers can better withstand disasters and market volatility.
- Update and streamline specialty crop and organic programs to keep pace with growing demand and regulatory needs.
- Promote produce consumption at home through expanded incentives in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, broader access to fresh produce in schools, and promotion efforts through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- Strengthen trade programs to reduce non-tariff barriers and open new markets for U.S. produce exports.
Despite representing hundreds of billions in farm-gate value, specialty crops received only 0.5 percent of farm bill funding in 2018. Brennan emphasized that such limited support cannot sustain a reliable domestic food supply or address alarming health statistics—just one in 10 Americans consumes enough fruits and vegetables.
“The fresh produce sector is essential to America’s health, economy, and food security. However, we cannot survive without swift, decisive federal action,” Brennan concluded. “Together, we can secure the future of American agriculture and ensure every American has access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food.”
