PRINTER'S NO. 3984
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
898
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY HILL-EVANS, BIZZARRO, DONATUCCI, SCHMITT,
KENYATTA, RYAN, SONNEY, KORTZ, MERSKI, MURT, KINSEY, BOBACK,
MILLARD, GALLOWAY, SCHWEYER, PASHINSKI, BURNS, LONGIETTI,
HOWARD, NEILSON, BROWN, YOUNGBLOOD, ROZZI, ZIMMERMAN, MENTZER
AND SCHLEGEL CULVER, JUNE 23, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS,
JUNE 23, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of August 2020 as "Pennsylvania Produce
Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth's fruit and vegetable production
industry is an important contributor to the State's economy; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is among the nation's top
producers of bell peppers, cantaloupes, pumpkins, snap beans,
sweet corn, apples, grapes and peaches; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is the nation's leading producer
of mushrooms; and
WHEREAS, Altogether, more than 70,000 acres of this
Commonwealth's farmland are used in the production of fruits and
vegetables; and
WHEREAS, More than 90% of farms in this Commonwealth are
family owned; and
WHEREAS, There are approximately 1,000 farmers markets in
this Commonwealth, which allow farmers to sell directly to
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
consumers and are crucial for bringing fresh produce into
communities; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth ranks first among the states in
the number of farms that make direct sales to consumers and
ranks third in total direct sales to consumers, totaling $224
million in 2015; and
WHEREAS, The farmers and workers who grow, pick and transport
our food work tirelessly to ensure that this Commonwealth and
the nation as a whole remain fed and nourished; and
WHEREAS, Health authorities have long encouraged increased
consumption of fruits and vegetables for good nutrition and
disease prevention; and
WHEREAS, Fruits and vegetables are both delicious and
nutritious, providing important vitamins, fiber and other
nutrients essential to a healthy, balanced diet; and
WHEREAS, The PA Preferred program was established in 2004 to
help Pennsylvanians identify produce that has been grown,
harvested and, if applicable, processed in this Commonwealth;
and
WHEREAS, PA Preferred produce can be recognized by the
program's registered logo, a blue keystone with a gold
checkmark; and
WHEREAS, Fresh Pennsylvania fruits and vegetables are
available in abundant supply and top quality at community
farmers markets, roadside farm markets and supermarkets
throughout this Commonwealth; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of August 2020 as "Pennsylvania Produce Month" in
Pennsylvania.
20200HR0898PN3984 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29