WASHINGTON, DC - As the House Agriculture Committee convened for a hearing earlier this week, United Fresh Produce Association and other fresh produce groups issued a joint statement to voice what our industry is up against. Government leaders met to discuss current supply chain challenges, and this statement represents all North American operators facing impacts to food systems, economies, and ultimately individuals and families worldwide.
In the statement, industry members outline how in the nearly two years since the start of the pandemic, substantial increases in costs and delays have impacted the supply chain, threatening the world’s food security and the long-term economic viability of the North American fresh produce sector.
According to a press release, crippling port congestion, delays and exploding costs in container shipping, cascading effects of inconsistent product delivery, continuing labor shortages across the supply chain, growing input shortages, and stockpiling of products by consumers are some of the top concerns addressed in the statement. Jon Schwalls, the Executive Officer of Southern Valley Fruit and Vegetable, testified during the hearing about the challenges specific to the fresh produce industry.
The news comes after United Fresh joined more than 50 organizations to submit comments to the Administration’s Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force in response to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s use of information to prepare a report for President Biden on supply chains for the industrial base. The comments offered recommendations to help ensure the resiliency of the food and agricultural supply chain by addressing issues including labor, climate policy, transportation policy, and infrastructure, container shipping, inland waterways, rail competition, and service and motor carrier freight transportation efficiency.
United Fresh has continued to urge Congress for relief and reforms to address many of the issues identified by the industry. The association urges Congress to pass the bipartisan infrastructure plan which will provide some immediate, much-needed infrastructure resources to roads, bridges, waterways, and western water infrastructure investment. Additionally, United Fresh is a champion of the DRIVE Safe Act, which directs the Department of Transportation to implement an apprenticeship program for licensed commercial motor vehicle drivers under the age of 21. The Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 is another supply chain program United Fresh urges Congress to adopt.
On behalf of all of us here at ANUK, I extend my thanks to United Fresh and the fierce industry advocates fighting to make our voices heard.
