FFVA News Release, FLORIDA FRUIT & VEGETABLE

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CONTACT:
Lisa Lochridge
FFVA Director of Public Affairs
321-214-5200

FFVA COMMENDS U.S. AGRICULTURE SECRETARY JOHANNS
FOR FOCUS ON SPECIALTY CROPS IN FARM BILL PROPOSAL

MAITLAND, Fla. (Jan. 31, 2007) - The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association today strongly applauded U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns' leadership in drafting recommendations for the 2007 Farm Bill that acknowledge the significant role of specialty crops in U.S. agriculture.

"We are especially pleased that the secretary has created a strong focus on specialty crops," said FFVA President Mike Stuart. "We look forward to working with the secretary, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Congress to develop a Farm Bill that reflects the tremendous contributions specialty crops make to U.S. agriculture and the health of all Americans."

The proposal unveiled today targets nearly $5 billion to support specialty crop producers by:

Increasing nutrition in food assistance programs - including school meals - through the purchase of fruits and vegetables
Funding specialty crop research
Fighting trade barriers
Expanding export markets

Johanns has acknowledged the importance of specialty crops in U.S. agriculture, noting that their value now equals the value of program crops. Fruit, vegetable and tree nut production, combined with nursery and greenhouse production, accounts for half of U.S. farmgate value.

FFVA is part of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, a group of organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products, that has worked to broaden the scope and efficiency of U.S. agricultural public policy.

Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association is an agricultural trade organization representing Florida's producers of fruits, vegetables and other crops.