The International Fresh Produce Association necessitate the degree at the National Immigration Forum ’s 2022 Leading the Way Conference in Washington , D.C. , yesterday to lift immigration as a tower of agricultural and economic successfulness . “The fruit and vegetable industry hire 2.2 million worker in all fifty states and added nearly $ 340 billion to the national yield in 2022 . We ca n’t do that without a reliable men , " said IFPA CEO Cathy Burns during a fireside chat with Bloomberg Law ’s Andrew Kreighbaum . " Without immigration reform that ensures ongoing access code to a skilled , dedicated hands , we ca n’t grow , or scale , or continue meeting consumer need . "
Bloomberg Law ’s Andrew Kreighbaum and IFPA ’s CEO Cathy Burns . Labor dearth have an encroachment on the supplying of fresh fruit and vegetables produce in the United States . " James Leonard Farmer can only grow what they can pick , " said Burns . " Our current in-migration system is shackle our ability to increase nutrient yield in the United States because our grower are unsure if they will have the workers they need to plant , grow and harvest craw . Some of our appendage have really gone out of byplay because they ca n’t get the workers they require , " she said . Burns explain why immigration reform is a kitchen - board issue for consumer . " The number one business organisation to the consumer right now is inflation . Those of you who will be snitch for your Thanksgiving repast next week are going to pay twenty percent more than you paid last year , " she said . " With a effectual immigrant workforce , you may in reality lower ostentatiousness and drive up American wages . The fourth dimension is now to pass the FWMA.“Stefanie KatzmanIFPA members mobilized on Capitol Hill this week for meetings with Senate post to discuss the impingement of DoL shortages on farms of all sizes - from small family - have operations to nationally recognized brands . Stefanie Katzman , executive vice prexy of S. Katzman Produce and a member of the IFPA board , told reporter that the deficiency of a predictable men is a substantial barrier to a robust and efficient fresh garden truck supply chain . “My business as a wholesaler is located in the middle of the supplying chain . I verbalize to hundreds of Fannie Farmer every day . That ’s how I acknowledge that the farm Labour Party crisis is not just a agriculture crisis . It ’s affecting the entire supply chemical chain mighty down to the American consumer , " said Katzman . " to make brisk fruits and vegetables low-cost and accessible , we need the labor military unit to [ be modernized ] . So we ’re enquire all senator because this has to occur now . We ’ve been work on this for calendar month and months , and now we ’re down to just days . So we ’re asking for your livelihood and action because activity utter louder than words , and that ’s what we need to get this done . “For more information : Siobhan MayIFPA+1 ( 302 ) 781 - 5855[email protected]www.freshproduce.com
