Two California congressmen, Doug Ose (R-CA) and Cal Dooley (D-CA), have introduced legislation in the House of Representatives to increase consumer education and awareness of the need to consume more fruits and vegetables for a healthy diet.
The bill also seeks to improve access to foreign markets for U.S. specialty crops, ensure food safety, strengthen crop research efforts, enhance conservation programs, and encourage investment and efficiency in the specialty crop sector.
A critical component of the bill will provide for block grants to state governments for the purpose of investing in efforts to improve the competitiveness of specialty crop producers.
The Washington State Potato Commission has offered its support for the bill and has asked Congresswoman Dunn and Congressman Hastings, Nethercutt and Larsen to co-sponsor the bill.