IFPA Reacts to House Agriculture Committee Markup of Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026

March 6, 2026

The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) issued the following statement on the House Agriculture Committee’s markup of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026:

“IFPA thanks House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson and members of the Committee for advancing the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 and for recognizing the importance of policies that reflect the unique needs of specialty crop production.

“The Committee’s inclusion of a Specialty Crop Emergency Assistance Framework marks meaningful progress toward modernizing the farm safety net. Specialty crop producers operate under a vastly different risk profile than other sectors of agriculture, with higher production costs, greater labor intensity, and increased exposure to market disruptions and weather variability. Establishing a structure specifically designed for these operations acknowledges those differences and begins to close longstanding gaps in federal risk management policy.

"We are also grateful for the passage of an amendment offered by Rep. Adam Gray that would—for the first time—allow up to 20% The Emergency Feeding Assistance Program commodity dollars to be used for the procurement of highly perishable US-grown fresh fruits and vegetables through the USDA DoD Fresh Program.

“Specialty crop growers supply the fresh fruits and vegetables that are foundational to America’s health. Strengthening the economic stability of these producers is essential to advancing nutrition security, supporting rural communities, and ensuring a reliable domestic food supply.

“IFPA urges the full House to build on the Committee’s work and move swiftly to advance and finalize a strong, bipartisan five-year Farm Bill. Specialty crop growers cannot afford further delay. We call on Congress to prioritize passage of legislation that delivers meaningful risk management tools, ensures equitable treatment for specialty crops, and provides the long-term certainty producers need to continue supplying America’s families with fresh fruits and vegetables. IFPA stands ready to work with lawmakers to strengthen and enact this critical legislation without delay.”

February 27, 2026 - IFPA Urges House Agriculture Committee to Advance Farm Bill

Washington, DC – The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) issued the following statement ahead of the House Agriculture Committee’s markup of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 on March 3.

“IFPA thanks House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn 'GT' Thompson for advancing the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 and including critical provisions that recognize the unique needs of specialty crop producers.

“In partnership with the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, we have long advocated for a dedicated emergency structure tailored to the distinct production risks and market realities facing fruit, vegetable, tree nut, horticulture, and nursery growers. The proposed first-ever Specialty Crop Emergency Assistance Framework would establish clear parameters for delivering timely and targeted economic assistance while ensuring specialty crops are no longer reliant on programs designed primarily for other crops.

“Growers are facing unprecedented, ongoing economic pressure, including persistent labor shortages, rising input costs, and supply chain volatility. This framework would provide much-needed predictability and a dependable pathway for assistance when it is most needed. Strong specialty crop policy is also central to strengthening America’s nutrition security, as specialty crop producers supply the fresh fruits and vegetables that people need to maintain healthy diets. Ensuring their economic sustainability protects local communities, supports domestic food production, and advances public health.

“IFPA supports the Chairman’s mark, especially the timely Specialty Crop Emergency Assistance Framework and hopes to see the Committee advance a strong, five-year farm bill that delivers certainty, stability, and fairness for specialty crop growers nationwide.”

IFPA Reacts to House Agriculture Committee Markup of Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026

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