Rep. Laurel Lee Joins Bill to Protect Florida’s Winter Strawberries, Specialty Crop Growers

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Laurel Lee co-sponsored H.R. 6186, the Temperature Endorsement for Multi-Peril Policies (TEMP) Act, introduced by Rep. Scott Franklin (R-FL) and Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL). The TEMP Act calls for the research and development of a crop insurance policy to cover losses caused by cold exposure and freezes.

Florida’s specialty crop producers are burdened with limited access to comprehensive whole-farm crop insurance due to high insurance premiums, which cost thousands of dollars per acre. Specialty crop growers have been able to access insurance policies at reasonable costs that cover losses caused by specific covered impacts such as wind. However, no policy exists to cover losses caused by cold exposure and freezes.

“Florida is home to countless agriculture producers and specialty crop growers who play an instrumental role in ensuring America’s food supply remains strong and resilient. During harsh winters, it can be especially difficult for specialty crop farmers to recover from the impacts of freezes and cold exposure. This bipartisan bill would relieve tremendous uncertainty and deliver necessary stability for Florida’s growers,” said Rep. Laurel Lee.

Plant City, known as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the U.S, is home to the Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA). “The FSGA wholeheartedly supports H.R. 6186 and applauds Congressman Franklin for his leadership on this issue. FSGA is grateful for the bipartisan effort by co-sponsors Congresswoman Lee, Congressmen Soto, Mills, and Steube, as well as Senator Rubio’s efforts on the companion bill,” said Kenneth Parker, FSGA Executive Director. “H.R. 6186 ‘TEMP Act’ could present a valuable risk management tool within the Federal Crop Insurance Act that could be utilized by specialty crop commodities including strawberries.”

“Our bipartisan bill creates an affordable index temperature policy, providing much-needed stability and coverage for Florida’s more than 300 specialty crops should temperatures drop below freezing. I thank my colleagues for their support of this commonsense initiative and Sen. Rubio for his leadership on this issue in the Senate,” said Rep. Franklin.

“Florida’s growers are vital to our state’s economy and the security of our national food supply. The TEMP Act is a commonsense solution that will help our specialty crop growers access affordable crop insurance, and recover from the devastating impacts of deep freezes and cold exposure,” Sen. Rubio said.

Read the full text of the bill here.

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