How can I really make a difference in Washington?
How can I really make a difference in Washington?
In my role as vice president of public policy at the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association, I am frequently asked this question. The answer is, get involved, beginning with the Washington Public Policy Conference.
Efforts to shape national legislation and federal regulations are a never-ending job for any major industry, as tomorrow's challenges quickly replace yesterdays successes.
While the produce industrys leadership in Washington is strong, we can harness far greater political influence by stimulating the personal involvement of thousands of produce industry members to interact directly with their elected leaders.
A key strategy for increasing your involvement is participating in Uniteds annual Washington Public Policy Conference. Here are some reasons why you should attend the produce industrys most important grassroots event of the year.
Hear first hand from our nations top political leaders.
Nowhere else can you hear personally from key members of President Bushs Cabinet and elected leaders from across the country about the produce industrys role in shaping public policy. This year, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee Saxby Chambliss (D-GA) and Rep. Jerry Moran of Kansas will talk directly to attendees about the current priorities of the Congress and the administration.
Build upon recent policy successes.
In the past four years, the fresh fruit and vegetable industry has worked together to advance several major public policy initiatives to strengthen the competitiveness of the industry and increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables. During this period, Congress has passed three laws that significantly enhance the industry: the Farm Security & Rural Investment Act of 2002, the Child Nutrition & WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 and the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act of 2004. Together, these legislative victories mark continued progress in our efforts to build competitiveness in the domestic and international marketplace and help the industry increase produce consumption. As a result of these accomplishments, Congress is considering funding more than $100 million in federal programs and projects associated with these three laws. With a strong grassroots push from the industry in September, these funding requests can be achieved and the produce industry can continue to enhance its productivity and profitability.
Help advance produce consumption through federal policy.
If you want to help sell produce, hear firsthand about a new public policy initiative United is launching to double childrens produce consumption through policy change. The new program will focus on increasing fresh fruits and vegetables in the Women, Infants & Children Supplemental Nutrition Program; expanding the Fruit & Vegetable School Snack Program to all 50 states; ensuring that USDA food purchasing programs for schools reflect the Dietary Guidelines; and expanding funding for the DOD Fresh Produce program and other private sector distribution channels to deliver fresh produce to schools.
Join industry colleagues and our nations political leaders in one of Capitol Hills premier events, Fresh Festival on Capitol Hill.
This is the produce industrys time to shine. More than 500 members of Congress, staff, regulatory officials and friends of the produce industry will pack Capitol Hill for the annual Fresh Festival on Capitol Hill. While attending the reception, make a point of sampling the delicious array of quality fresh produce products displayed for Washingtons public policy elite.
Participate in the industrys most important grassroots push of the year, Uniteds March on Capitol Hill.
Come be part of our annual march on Capitol Hill and join your fellow industry colleagues to educate members of Congress and their staffs on the key issues impacting the produce industry. This is your time to meet members of Congress face to face and discuss the produce industrys policy agenda for the 109th Congress. Dont stand on the sidelines for one of the most important produce industry grassroots efforts of the year.
The reality is, you can make the difference. Never before have we had such a tremendous opportunity to improve the business climate or help shape new laws that affect industry sales and profits. For just a few days, your participation will help us take advantage of a huge opportunity to advance the competitiveness of the produce industry and help increase produce consumption.
In short, your participation in the Washington Public Policy Conference would be one of your best investments of the year, and we look forward to seeing you in Washington.
Efforts to shape national legislation and federal regulations are a never-ending job for any major industry, as tomorrow's challenges quickly replace yesterdays successes.
While the produce industrys leadership in Washington is strong, we can harness far greater political influence by stimulating the personal involvement of thousands of produce industry members to interact directly with their elected leaders.
A key strategy for increasing your involvement is participating in Uniteds annual Washington Public Policy Conference. Here are some reasons why you should attend the produce industrys most important grassroots event of the year.
Hear first hand from our nations top political leaders.
Nowhere else can you hear personally from key members of President Bushs Cabinet and elected leaders from across the country about the produce industrys role in shaping public policy. This year, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee Saxby Chambliss (D-GA) and Rep. Jerry Moran of Kansas will talk directly to attendees about the current priorities of the Congress and the administration.
Build upon recent policy successes.
In the past four years, the fresh fruit and vegetable industry has worked together to advance several major public policy initiatives to strengthen the competitiveness of the industry and increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables. During this period, Congress has passed three laws that significantly enhance the industry: the Farm Security & Rural Investment Act of 2002, the Child Nutrition & WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 and the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act of 2004. Together, these legislative victories mark continued progress in our efforts to build competitiveness in the domestic and international marketplace and help the industry increase produce consumption. As a result of these accomplishments, Congress is considering funding more than $100 million in federal programs and projects associated with these three laws. With a strong grassroots push from the industry in September, these funding requests can be achieved and the produce industry can continue to enhance its productivity and profitability.
Help advance produce consumption through federal policy.
If you want to help sell produce, hear firsthand about a new public policy initiative United is launching to double childrens produce consumption through policy change. The new program will focus on increasing fresh fruits and vegetables in the Women, Infants & Children Supplemental Nutrition Program; expanding the Fruit & Vegetable School Snack Program to all 50 states; ensuring that USDA food purchasing programs for schools reflect the Dietary Guidelines; and expanding funding for the DOD Fresh Produce program and other private sector distribution channels to deliver fresh produce to schools.
Join industry colleagues and our nations political leaders in one of Capitol Hills premier events, Fresh Festival on Capitol Hill.
This is the produce industrys time to shine. More than 500 members of Congress, staff, regulatory officials and friends of the produce industry will pack Capitol Hill for the annual Fresh Festival on Capitol Hill. While attending the reception, make a point of sampling the delicious array of quality fresh produce products displayed for Washingtons public policy elite.
Participate in the industrys most important grassroots push of the year, Uniteds March on Capitol Hill.
Come be part of our annual march on Capitol Hill and join your fellow industry colleagues to educate members of Congress and their staffs on the key issues impacting the produce industry. This is your time to meet members of Congress face to face and discuss the produce industrys policy agenda for the 109th Congress. Dont stand on the sidelines for one of the most important produce industry grassroots efforts of the year.
The reality is, you can make the difference. Never before have we had such a tremendous opportunity to improve the business climate or help shape new laws that affect industry sales and profits. For just a few days, your participation will help us take advantage of a huge opportunity to advance the competitiveness of the produce industry and help increase produce consumption.
In short, your participation in the Washington Public Policy Conference would be one of your best investments of the year, and we look forward to seeing you in Washington.
