Fuji Touring is a good bike for OP's needs, says this one who commutes 19 miles round trip on one. It's also good for up to a bushel of apples with the right panniers (bigger than the ones I commute with!). Tires up to 35, comes with a rack. It might stretch the budget now, but when you only have to replace normal wear items (chains, tires, brake pads), it'll be better on the budget after a few years.

I still wonder (a) how Fuji can sell new bikes for as little as they do, and (b) how other manufacturers can charge so much more for roughly the same bike.