Newark De. and Washington D.C. – International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) BB #:378962 applauds the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement detailing their commitment to invest $1 billion through their Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities opportunity.
These partnerships will support development of climate-smart production practices for America’s farmers, ranchers, forest landowners and non-governmental agencies by financing pilot projects and creating market opportunities for U.S. agricultural and forest products.
“Secretary Vilsack’s announcement of the Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities is an important step toward enabling climate-smart agricultural practices,” said Dr. Max Teplitski, IFPA chief science officer.
“While the list of production practices viewed as priorities for the administration’s support is long, it is critical that the pilot projects selected for the massive federal investment ultimately benefit not only large-acreage commodities but also nutrient-packed specialty crops.”
IFPA continues the work of its legacy organizations, Produce Marketing Association (PMA) and United Fresh, in advocating for investment and incentives for the produce and floral industry to support the development of innovative, climate smart practices.
“Consumer demand is already strong for climate smart foods, which command higher prices,” said Paul Lightfoot, author of the Negative Foods Newsletter and founder & CEO emeritus of BrightFarms. “Although climate smart practices improve farmer profits, adoption rates are slow because farmers are inherently risk averse. This USDA program will incentivize farmers to adopt regenerative agricultural practices in ways that will create new markets for climate smart products. The creation of these markets will draw in other farmers and create a virtuous cycle among farmers and consumers, accelerating the role of the food system to help reverse climate change.”
IFPA is a member of the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) who also recognized that USDA’s announcement aligns with many of the Alliance’s recommendations including the importance of building flexibility to accommodate different growing regions, practices, and commodities, and to also to prioritize a plan for engaging with small farmers, ranchers and forest owners and those from underrepresented groups.
Deadlines for the first funding pool applications is April 8, 2022 and the second round of applications for smaller proposals of $250,000 to $4.9 million are due May 27, 2022. IFPA encourages the industry to act on this opportunity to ensure industry needs are represented.
About the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA)
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is the largest and most diverse international association serving the entire fresh produce and floral supply chain and the only to seamlessly integrate world-facing advocacy and industry-facing support. We exist to bring the industry together to create a vibrant future for all. We grow our member’s prosperity by conducting advocacy; connecting people and ideas; and offering guidance that allows us all to take action with purpose and confidence. While IFPA is built on the legacy of United Fresh and Produce Marketing Association, it is not just a combination. It is transformational. Recognizing the industry required an even more powerful and unified voice, the leaders of the former United Fresh and Produce Marketing Association chose not to merge, but rather to create an entirely new organization to supersede their organizations, effective January 1, 2022.
