The International Fresh Produce Association says it has submitted policy recommendations to the Make America Healthy Again commission as part of its commitment to reducing diet-related diseases and improving public health nationwide.
In a letter addressed to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., White House Domestic Policy Council Executive Director Vince Haley and commission members, IFPA highlighted evidence-based solutions that prioritize fruit and vegetable consumption as essential to national health strategies. Emphasizing the urgency of addressing diet-related chronic diseases, IFPA said 90% of Americans fail to meet recommended fruit and vegetable intake levels and called for a systemic approach to increase consumption and drive meaningful, lasting change, according to a news release.
“With current rates of chronic diet-related disease, we must act swiftly and decisively to enhance fruit and vegetable consumption nationwide,” said IFPA CEO Cathy Burns. “Our recommendations offer tangible, evidence-based solutions that will create a lasting impact on public health. We look forward to working with the MAHA Commission to turn these policy ideas into action.”
IFPA said its key policy recommendations include:
- Embed produce prescriptions as a covered benefit within the health system — IFPA advocates for incorporating produce prescriptions into federal health care programs, including Medicare, Medicaid and the Department of Veterans Affairs, to support diet-related disease prevention and reduce healthcare costs.
- Enhance nutrition clarity in food labeling — IFPA calls on the Food and Drug Administration to mandate transparent labeling for food products claiming fruit and vegetable content, enabling consumers to make informed dietary choices.
- Expand financial incentives for fruit and vegetable purchases — IFPA proposes making fresh produce eligible for health savings accounts and flexible savings accounts, along with a federal tax credit for purchases that align with Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
- Expand the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program — IFPA recommends extending FFVP access to all low-income elementary schools and eventually middle and high schools, helping students develop healthy eating habits early.
- Modernize USDA purchasing programs — IFPA calls for recalibrating USDA procurement strategies to include a broader range of fresh produce and increase distribution to underserved communities through nonprofit organizations.
- Increase fruit and vegetable access for SNAP recipients — Citing USDA research, IFPA suggests incentivizing produce purchases through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to help recipients meet dietary recommendations.
- Enhance data collection for federal nutrition programs — IFPA supports a systematic approach to track and analyze federal feeding and nutrition program data, ensuring alignment with public health goals.