U.S. agricultural committee senators approved the first stage of a new farm bill last week, supporting US$406 million annual investment in buying speciality crops.

They voted 16-5 to pass the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012, which will continue investments in the industry started with the 2008 Farm Bill.

Producers and distributors trade body, United Fresh senior vice president of public policy Robert Guenther, welcomed the result.

"While this is just the first inning of a long and difficult farm bill process, it is extremely important that the Senate Agriculture Committee has confirmed what our members have been saying for quite a long time: investments in fruit and vegetable producers translates into a healthy industry – from field to table – while creating job opportunities and improved nutrition for consumers."

The new bill is proposing a raft of investments in the industry including US$150 million annually for the fresh fruit and vegetable program.

US$70 million is to be earmarked annually for the speciality crop grant program with a further US$25 million for research ramping up to US$50 million by 2017 with US$9 million a year for technical assistance.

Increased funding of US$60 million in 2013 up to US$65 million in 2017 for pest and disease management programs has been pledged.

An annual budget of US$200 million is to be devoted to the market access program with US$150 million annually for the fresh fruit and vegetable program.

A sum of US$100 million over five years is to be spent on farmers' markets and local food promotion with US$50 million a year to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to schools and service institutions.

Environmental Working Group's senior vice president for agricultural and natural resources Craig Cox, praised the draft legislation for encouraging low income consumers to purchase more fruit and vegetables.

"We also applaud provisions of the bill that support healthy diets, expand links between local farmers and consumers and help new farmers."

US$100 million over five years has been assigned for the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP).

The legislation must go to the full Senate for debate and votes and then on to the House of Representatives, which is expected to happen this summer.

United Fresh worked closely with committee policy makers to secure support for specific programs, such as speciality crops, of particular importance to the fresh fruit and vegetable industry.

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