USDA to renew charter for Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee

The USDA intends to again renew its charter of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee.

In a March 26 Federal Register notice, the USDA said it will again renew the committee's two-year charter, which is set to expire May 23.

Since it began in 2001, the advisory committee has met up to two times per year to develop recommendations for submission to the agriculture secretary on issues affecting the U.S. produce industry.  

“The purpose  of the FVIAC is to examine the full spectrum of issues faced by the fruit and vegetable industry and provide suggestions and ideas to the secretary on how USDA can tailor its programs to better meet the fruit and vegetable industry's needs,” the notice said.

The minutes of the group’s latest meeting on March 4-5 are available at the USDA website.

According to the agency, up to 25 members shall represent: fruit and vegetable growers and/or shippers; fruit and vegetable wholesalers and/or receivers; brokers; retailers; fruit and vegetable processors and/or fresh-cut processors; foodservice suppliers; organic and/or non-organic farmers; farmers markets and community-supported agricultural organizations; state agriculture departments; and trade associations.

Comments on the agency’s intention are invited through May 1 at regulations.gov, document No. AMS-SC-24-0006.

For further information, contact Jennie Varela, senior marketing specialist for the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Specialty Crops Program, at SCPFVIAC@usda.gov. The USDA said the charter for the FVIAC will be available on the USDA website.