Protecting Our Produce Act

Key Points

• This bill creates a five-year test program to help American farmers who grow specific fruits and vegetables. It focuses on growers of asparagus, bell peppers, blueberries, cucumbers, and squash who are struggling to compete with low-priced imports.
• Farmers would receive payments if the market price for their crop falls below its normal five-year average. For a farmer to get paid, the Department of Agriculture must confirm that the price drop was caused by an increase in products coming from other countries.
• The program is aimed at helping actual farmers rather than giant corporations. To qualify for the money, a person must make at least 75% of their income from farming and have a total yearly income of less than $5 million.
• The government would provide up to $200 million per year for these payments. This money is meant to act as a safety net so local growers do not go out of business during their short harvesting seasons when the market is flooded with cheap foreign produce.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.