Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, April 2, U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) and U.S. Representative Joe Pitts (R-PA) will visit the Pepperidge Farm facility in Denver, Pa., as a part of their effort to pass the Sugar Reform Act, legislation to reform the last of depression-era farm subsidies.
“Archaic sugar policies have driven costs up for U.S. bakers and consumers to unmanageable levels for far too long. Now is the time for Congress to support reform that will level the playing field and allow bakers and other food manufacturers to create new jobs,” said Robb MacKie, ABA President and CEO.
“The current sugar program comes with a huge price tag,” said Cory Martin, ABA Director of Government Relations. “For the first time in over a decade, the U.S. Government is projected to buy back about 400,000 tons of U.S.-produced sugar and sell it to ethanol producers at a huge loss. This so-called “no cost” program is set to cost taxpayers upwards of $80 million this year,” Martin added.
The Denver, Pa. Pepperidge Farm facility bakes GoldfishÒ crackers and MilanoÒ cookies. Pepperidge Farm is owned by the Campbell Soup Co., based out of Camden, N.J.
About the American Bakers Association:
The American Bakers Association (ABA) is the Washington D.C.-based voice of the wholesale baking industry. Since 1897, ABA has represented the interests of bakers before the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and international regulatory authorities. ABA advocates on behalf of more than 700 baking facilities and baking company suppliers. ABA members produce bread, rolls, crackers, bagels, sweet goods, tortillas and many other wholesome, nutritious, baked products for America’s families. The baking industry generates more than $102 billion in economic activity annually and employs more than 633,000 highly skilled people.
Source: American Bakers Association
