HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE FARM BILL RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE EXPANSION OF FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAM

The Subcommittee of Department Operations Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry forwarded its recommendations for the 2007 Farm Bill to the House Agriculture Committee June 14.

Among its proposals, the subcommittee recommended that the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program be expanded to all 50 states and receive increased funding. The program began life as part of the 2002 farm bill. The innovative pilot program provided free fresh fruit and vegetable snacks to students in participating schools. Separate and distinct from the schools’ existing meals programs, the snack program was intended to increase children’s fruit and vegetable consumption for their better health. Implemented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service, the $6 million pilot program provided grants to 25 schools in each of six states and one Native American territory. The schools used the funds to purchase the school’s choice of snacks. An April 2003 USDA evaluation report noted that the program was highly popular with students and administrators alike – and that students were performing better at school, and eating more fruits and vegetables at home as a result. In 2004, Congress made the program permanent, and expanded it to eight states and three Native American territories.

The subcommittee also approved an amendment to establish a competitive grant program to develop solutions for rising obesity rates and strengthen efforts to integrate nutrition education into a renamed Food Stamp Program.

FFVA BOARD ADOPTS PRODUCE SAFETY RESOLUTION

FFVA’s Board of Directors voted June 8 to support adoption of mandatory federal food safety standards throughout the produce supply chain. The Board issued a resolution that “these standards must be science-based and must reflect the risks associated with individual commodities and production regions.” Further, “they should apply to all fruits and vegetables produced in, or imported into, the United States.”

The Board had instituted a policy in January that supported the adoption of these food safety standards. The new resolution, however, specifies adoption of “mandatory federal standards.”

FFVA’s Board of Directors and committees met June 7-8 at the Breakers in Palm Beach.

FDA ANNOUNCES TOMATO FOOD SAFETY PROGRAM

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced June 12 it will begin a multi-year tomato safety initiative to “reduce the incidence of tomato-related foodborne illness in the United States.”

FDA investigators in coordination with their respective state counterparts will visit tomato farms and packing facilities in Florida and Virginia to assess food safety practices and use of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs). For additional information, go to www.fda.gov.

PUTNAM, MAHONEY INTRODUCE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY, CONSERVATION BILL

Reps. Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.) and Adam Putnam (R-Fla.) introduced the American Farm Improvement Act of 2007 June 11. The legislation supports development of renewable energy by encouraging cellulosic ethanol production while improving current conservation programs.

“Changing this policy will open a new market for Florida’s farmers,” said Rep. Putnam. “And it will benefit all Americans by helping to diversify the key sources for ethanol. In addition, the American Farm Improvement Act, would enable conservation programs to be more responsive to local needs by providing incentives to address natural resource issues related to agricultural production,” Putnam said.

FORUM TO ADDRESS CENTRAL FLORIDA LAND USE

Florida Land Use Initiative (FLUI) Regional Forum for Central Florida will be held June 29 at the University of Central Florida's Fairwinds Alumni Center in Orlando. The forum is the second in a series of regional forums that address the subject of "Rural Lands, Development, and the Future of Florida.

Click here for an agenda and registration or contact the Florida Earth Foundation office at (561) 686-3688.


FSA SEEKING COUNTY COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS

Farmer and rancher candidate nominations began June 15 for Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees. The nomination form and information about FSA county committee elections are available online at www.fsa.usda.gov. Click on “News & Events,” then “County Committee Elections.” Nomination forms must be received by local USDA Service Centers by close of business on August 1. Elections take place this fall.