In late May, President Trump’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission released its Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment, outlining the “dietary, behavioral, medical and environmental drivers” behind the decline in American children’s health. The report lays the foundation for evidence-based policy reforms and cultural shifts aimed at reversing this trend. A national strategy will follow in August, with the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) expected later this year.

Farmers, particularly specialty crop producers, are identified as “critical partners in the success of the Make America Healthy Again agenda,” presenting a meaningful opportunity to align the blueberry industry with national public health goals.

The report underscores a significant gap in federal support for fruits and vegetables, noting that “specialty crops remain underfunded, with only 0.1% of Farm Bill subsidies supporting fruits, vegetables and organics.” This highlights the urgent need for increased advocacy for expanded support, including insurance coverage and research investment.

A key recommendation of the report is replacing ultra-processed foods with whole foods, especially for children. It emphasizes that fruit consumption remains too low, and calls for greater access to nutrient-dense, phytonutrient-rich options as a strategy to reduce chronic disease. With their strong nutritional profile, blueberries are well-positioned as part of the solution.

Notably, the commission advocates for farmers to play a central role in advancing public health – an approach that aligns closely with the blueberry industry’s strengths – and offers a strategic opportunity to promote blueberries as part of a healthier food system.

Since its inception, the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) has prioritized health research, yielding significant promotional benefits for the industry. Today, USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC) work in tandem – USHBC as the research arm and NABC as the advocacy arm – to support public policy that increases blueberry consumption. This includes advocacy for a fruit subgroup within the DGAs. Given the MAHA Commission’s emphasis on chronic disease prevention and whole-food diets, NABC is intensifying its efforts around the 2030 DGAs. 

While the MAHA agenda presents major opportunities, the report’s treatment of crop protection tools –  specifically glyphosate and atrazine – reinforces the importance of defending the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) science-based, risk-based approach to pesticide regulation.

Encouragingly, the commission warns that any attempt to restrict crop protection tools beyond the scientific standards established by Congress must consider alternatives and production costs. At the same time, the report raises concerns about the influence of privately funded toxicology and epidemiology research, warning it could skew regulation in favor of the chemical industry. However, it also points to a major gap in publicly funded research, creating an opportunity to push for more government-supported science.

This moment presents a strategic opening for the specialty crop sector to advocate for increased investment in programs like the IR-4 Project, which supports the registration of crop protection tools for fruits and vegetables.

To help ensure regulatory consistency, NABC recently joined an amicus brief in support of Monsanto’s petition for a writ of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court in Durnell v. Monsanto. The case raises critical questions about federal preemption under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), and whether states can impose conflicting pesticide labeling requirements. Unified industry support for judicial resolution is especially important given the broader implications of the MAHA Commission’s work.

NABC sees significant opportunity for the blueberry industry within the MAHA agenda. For decades, blueberries’ “health halo” has made them a standout among fruits. Now, we’re prepared to leverage that reputation to shape the future of nutrition policy.

CREDIT
ALYSSA HOUTBY, NABC Government Affairs Director