Sioux City Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On July 13, U.S. Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Jim Costa (D-CA), and Salud Carbajal (D-CA) introduced the Fortifying Refrigeration Infrastructure and Developing Global Exports (FRIDGE) Act. This legislation would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture to negotiate contracts to deliver needs assessments, training, and other technical assistance to enhance infrastructure construction – including cold chain storage – in new and developing foreign markets.

The FRIDGE Act would add a section promoting infrastructure in the Foreign Market Development (FMD) program, and to fund this paragraph, funds will be authorized at $1,000,000 annually from FY24-28. If there are leftover funds not allocated, those funds will go into the main FMD pot of money for the benefit of all producers and exporting organizations.

“Meeting with Iowa farmers and producers on my biannual 36 County Tour, I repeatedly hear that opening new export markets for agricultural goods is vital to our farm economy and rural main streets in the 4th Congressional District. However, without robust market development and critical infrastructure, our producers are significantly limited in their ability to export their high-quality products around the world,” said Rep. Feenstra. “I’m proud to work with my colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee to introduce legislation that will develop much-needed infrastructure to ship our beef, chicken, turkey, pork, grains, specialty crops, and other perishable goods worldwide. While the Biden Administration refuses to negotiate new trade agreements and help our farmers access foreign markets, I will continue to do everything in my power to support our producers and end our reliance on only a handful of export markets.”

“Our agricultural economy relies on efficient refrigeration systems to put food on America’s dinner table. We need to invest in our infrastructure to better store and deliver American products around the world,” said Rep. Costa. “This legislation will build a more resilient supply chain and expand access to new export markets for American producers.”

“America excels in exporting value-added agricultural products like protein and grain to the world,” said Rep. Mann. “The lack of cold storage and distribution, however, is a significant barrier to expanding and diversifying American markets. To remain the world leader in market access, we must make strong investments in cold chain technology. I am proud to introduce the FRIDGE Act alongside Representatives Feenstra, Costa, and Carbajal to ensure American producers remain competitive in the international marketplace.”

“The National Turkey Federation (NTF) supports the FRIDGE Act, which would expand the tools available in the ability to export more U.S. turkey products to countries that are restricted by access to proper cold storage,” said Leslee Oden, NTF Sr. Vice President of Legislative Affairs. “Currently, limited cold storage vastly restricts certain country’s ability to safely store turkey products in their home country due to the lack of cold storage space. The FRIDGE Act would assist in building the necessary infrastructure essential to the expansion of all agriculture products, including turkey products into new, developing locations around the world.” 

“Freezing is a natural way to extend the shelf life of foods, ensure products stay fresh for consumers to enjoy year-round, and reduce the opportunities for spoilage and waste. The FRIDGE Act will improve the global cold chain infrastructure so that more food can stay frozen in the international trade network and broaden the benefits of this natural preservation process,” saidAlison Bodor, CEO, American Frozen Food Institute.

“As evidenced by recent disruptions, one of the biggest barriers to a strong and resilient global food supply chain is the lack of cold chain capacity in emerging markets. The FRIDGE Act would strengthen the ability of these markets to safely and efficiently receive high quality U.S. perishable commodities, creating new trade opportunities, improving food security and nutrition, and reducing waste due to food loss,” said GCCA Warehouse Chairman Mike McClendon. “The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) strongly supports the FRIDGE Act and thanks Representatives Feenstra, Mann, Costa and Carbajal for their leadership in introducing this important legislation.”

In 2021, the top three markets for American pork – China, Japan, and Mexico – accounted for 63% of U.S. exports. In that same year, the top three markets for beef – Japan, South Korea, and China – accounted for 60% of U.S. exports. These facts underscore the need to maintain these trading partners, but also establish new markets to build a resilient supply chain for producers.

You can find legislative text HERE.

Original source can be found here.