Infrastructure & Transportation Policy

COVID-19 and the fallout from it have greatly impacted the infrastructure and transportation of fresh produce. As a result, significant delays currently exist in delivering fresh produce to customers, both at the retail level and wholesale level. Many of these challenges are rooted in the lack of labor, port congestion, input cost, road transportation, as well as some regulatory challenges. In 2021, the industry came together to collectively assess the challenges and come up with solutions that can help streamline these supply chain challenges.

First and foremost, It is vital that the Administration and Congress take action to respond to both the immediate and long-term needs of the fresh produce industry’s supply chain. A first step has been made with the passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Job Act which both United Fresh and PMA both supported.

Building on this historic investment into the country’s infrastructure, the International Fresh Produce Association will look to further address critical challenges by working to ensure that we have a workforce that meets the needs of our industry and our consumers from farm to fork. Also critical to this challenge is ensuring that we have the physical infrastructure in place to ensure that we can deliver fresh produce to our consumers safely and timely. In 2022, the International Fresh Produce Association has looked to drive political support for two pieces of legislation that will address a number of these issues including the bipartisan Ocean Shipping Reform Act and the DRIVE Act.

IFPA supports efforts to address broader supply chain issues to ensure the priority of perishable products like fresh produce are considered when moving goods domestically and internationally.
IFPA supports the Administration's efforts to implement the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, which required the development of a series of regulations that will further benefit exporters and importers of fresh produce and other goods.
IFPA supports the DRIVE Act, which will build upon the pilot program in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to enable qualified drivers under the age of 21 to transport goods across state lines.

Ocean Shipping Reform Act

View a one-page summary developed by IFPA regarding the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, which was signed into law by President Biden on June 14, 2022.

FSMA 204 Traceability Rule

The Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) Leadership Council co-chairs issued a call to action to bring together industry experts to join a working group to support industry compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) 204 Traceability Rule. View the Call To Action.

Coalitions

As part of our supply chain advocacy efforts, IFPA works with various coalitions to advance our supply chain priorities. Learn more by visiting the coalition website:

Agriculture Transportation Coalition

Letters

Key to our efforts is making sure members of Congress and the Administration hear directly from IFPA and our members about the importance of the supply chain. View the list of letters IFPA has organized or joined:

Nov. 7, 2022: IFPA Comments on FMC 22-24, Ocean Shipping Reform Act "Reasonable Right of Refusal" Regulation
Nov. 3, 2022: Agriculture Transportation Working Group Letter to Congress on the Railroad Labor Dispute
Oct. 27, 2022: Multi-Industry Association Letter to President Biden on the Railroad Labor Dispute
Sep. 14, 2022: IFPA Comments on FMC 22-19, Ocean Shipping Reform Act "Emergency Situation" Request for Information
Sep. 8, 2022: Agriculture Transportation Working Group letter to congress on the Railroad Labor Dispute
Aug. 4, 2022: Letter to Transportation Secretary Buttigieg in support of funding for Coos Bay Port
July 26, 2022: Letter to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in Support of the Freight Rail Shipping Fair Market Act
July 1, 2022: Letter to President Biden on West Coast Ports Labor Negotiations
June 10, 2022: Letter to House Appropriations Committee on Federal Maritime Commission Funding

Legislation

Legislative action is at the heart of our efforts to change policies to improve the conditions impacting the fresh produce supply chain. IFPA has supported the following bills in the supply chain space:

Beagle Brigade Act (H. R. 8432/S.3678)
- July 20, 2022: Letter to House and Senate Leadership in Support of H. R. 8432/S.3678
American Port Access Privileges Act (H. R. 8243)
- July 18, 2022: Letter to Representative Garamendi in Support of H. R. 8243
Ocean Shipping Reform Act (S. 3580)*
- March 15, 2022: Letter to House and Senate Leadership in Support of S. 3580

*Signed into law

Federal Websites

There are many federal agencies involved in the fresh produce supply chain. Learn more about relevant agencies that play a role in the development, implementation and oversight of regulations impacting our members.