United Fresh Responds to Gillibrand Produce Price Inquiry

A Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee is calling on the federal government to investigate fruit and vegetable prices received by farmers.  Senator Kirsten Gillibrand wants the USDA to investigate if fruit and vegetable farmers across the country are receiving fair prices for their produce, While the prices of fruits and vegetables have increased for both consumers at the grocery store and for wholesale buyers.  Gillibrand said the prices that farmers receive for these same products has not kept up with the increases, and even gone down in some cases.

United Fresh Monday responded to the inquiry, saying, “Transparency in any supply chain is a good thing, and we always welcome USDA’s analysis of our markets.”

However, the group representing the U.S. produce industry cautions that “It’s important for each sector in our supply chain not to lose sight of our goal to grow fresh produce consumption, while fighting with one another over whose share of a dwindling pie is bigger.”

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