United Fresh’s Washington Public Policy Conference Marches On In Spite Of Government Shutdown
October 1, 2013 
“These are strange times we live in.� That expression was uttered more than once in the last two days at United Fresh’s Washington Public Policy Conference in Washington, DC. It was referring to the recent government shutdown as well as the criminal charges brought up on Colorado cantaloupe growers, the Jensens.
In 2011, at least 147 people got sick and 33 people died from consuming the cantaloupe growers’ listeria-tainted fruit that entered the marketplace. Last week, brothers Eric and Ryan Jensen were charged with six counts of introducing adulterated food into interstate commerce and aiding and abetting.Â
Because the Jensens are being criminally charged, the case is unprecedented. “The whole situation is very unfortunate and we don’t know the circumstances other than what has been reported publicly,� said conference attendee Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association. “It raises awareness in the industry on what federal prosecutors can do under the FDA law.�
Switching gears and honing in on the government shutdown — which hasn’t occurred for more than 17 years — Hall added that it is regrettable that the Senate and the House can’t work together and compromise.
“And I’m not just talking about the government shutdown,� he said, “that also goes for getting a Farm Bill done and immigration reform.�
One of the speakers at the Public Policy Conference, Congressman Kurt Schrader (D-OR), a ranking member of the House Horticulture Subcommittee, estimates that the government shutdown may last one to two weeks. On a positive note, he said that the Farm Bill may be “a path to where we [Republicans and Democrats] can learn to work together again.�
Messages For Congress
Of course, with or without an operating government and the frustration that goes along with it, the conference moved forward with most of the visits to Capitol Hill on Tuesday. Unfortunately, due to the government shutdown, visits to Senate offices on Wednesday were canceled.
Nevertheless, on Tuesday, the task of the conference attendees was to drive home three messages to their members of Congress.
1. Farm Bill. A Farm Bill needs to be passed — before the end of this Congress — that includes nutrition policies.
2. Immigration Reform. Comprehensive reform is necessary, and a new agriculture guestworker program needs to be enacted.
3. Food Safety. Make sure the Food Safety Modernization Act is science based, protecting consumers while refraining from being a detriment to the grower’s ability stay viable.
Fallout From Jensen Farms
As mentioned previously, in addition to the government coming to a grinding halt, there was a lot of talk about the cantaloupe growers responsible for the 2011 listeria outbreak and the criminal charges filed against them.
Several people at the conference commented on the situation: Â Â
Maureen Torrey, Torrey Farms, Elba, NYÂ
“It is tragic that it happened and we have zero tolerance for pathogens, but sometimes even though a farm has a third party auditor, something like this happens. To have the government take this stand and prosecute a grower is scary. I hope the industry will respond together and work to make sure these things don’t happen. We will continue to work to produce the safest food supply in the world.�
Ray Gilmer, vice president, issues management and communication at United Fresh
“It will have a chilling affect on the industry and not just for the fresh produce industry. This could cross over into other commodities. …This isn’t just a produce-only issue.â€�
Paul Gingrich, Four Seasons Produce, Ephrata, PA
“It will be interesting to understand what jumped [the case] from civil to criminal. It has to have a chilling affect on growers.�
Helena Beckett, the director of replenishment at Tanimura & Antle, Salinas, CA
“I’m surprised. This could have a very negative impact on the industry as a whole.�
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