WASHINGTON, DC – The United Fresh Produce Association, which represents farmers and producers of fresh foods across the country, has presented Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton with its Congressional Leadership Award. Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association, led a delegation of fresh food producers to meet with Senator Clinton in Washington and present her with the award during their annual visit to Capitol Hill.

 

“Helping the producers of fresh and healthy foods expand into new markets, including schools and under-served communities, is a win-win economically and nutritionally. I am honored to accept this award and I will continue doing all I can to help the farmers of New York,” Senator Clinton said.

 

“Senator Clinton has been a superior advocate for not only New York agriculture, but the whole country and our industry at large.  She has always been there for us on our legislative priorities such as farm bill funding, ag labor, marketing and promotion, and especially supportive in times of weather related disaster.  We’re so very proud to present her with this award and have her representing the state of New York,” Mr. Allen said.

 

"Senator Clinton has shown extraordinary leadership on many issues impacting the produce industry including immigration reform, nutrition policy, and the passage of the 2008 Farm bill.  We are proud to have given her this Congressional Leadership Award from United Fresh to Senator Clinton and our members are greatly appreciative of her role in Congress," said Tom Stenzel, President and CEO of the United Fresh Produce Association.

 

Senator Clinton has long been a champion of New York farmers and producers of fresh and healthy foods. Her Farm-to-Fork initiative has helped connect producers with restaurants, schools, and under-served communities. The recently enacted Farm Bill included key provisions Senator Clinton introduced along with Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) which aimed to increase the supply and availability of locally produced foods to underserved communities by providing innovative financing for small and midsized family farmers and ranchers, and also included measures to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables in school meals. (See more: http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=297875&& and http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=286121&&)

 

The United Fresh Produce Association represents producers of fresh food across the country, including family-owned, private and publicly traded businesses as well as regional, national and international companies.  The association was founded in 1904 to represent the produce industry, and recently took the name United Fresh as a result of the 2006 merger of the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association and the International Fresh-Cut Produce Association. United Fresh’s mission is to promote the growth and success of produce companies and their partners.

 

(To obtain a copy of the photo, please call (202) 224-2243 or send a request to press@clinton.senate.gov.)

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