Latest News From USDA

USDA files PACA complaint against RRD Produce

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed an administrative complaint against RRD Produce Co., Los Angeles, for Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act violations.

USDA clears Jay Pack in PACA case

Jay Pack was not a “responsibly connected individual” of Huxtable’s Kitchen Inc., according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, removing him from liability in a Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act case.

PACA violations bar Write On Marketing, principals from industry

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on Write On Marketing Inc., for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

Kenya asks for U.S. approval of thyme imports
Kenya asks for U.S. approval of thyme imports

The government of Kenya wants the U.S. Department of Agriculture to approve imports of fresh thyme into the U.S.

USDA drops 3 from $10.7 million Adams PACA case

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has dropped several members of the industry from a Perishables Agricultural Commodities Act against Adams Produce Co. LLC.

USDA files PACA complaint against Bain Distributors

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed an administrative complaint against Bain Distributors Inc. for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

USDA predicts flat exports, big import growth
USDA predicts flat exports, big import growth

New U.S. Department of Agriculture agricultural projections to 2029 Tv forecast consistent growth in the value of U.S. fresh produce and nut crops but flat export sales.

Mexfly find in south Texas brings expanded quarantine

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Texas Department of Agriculture have established a Mexican fruit fly quarantine in Willacy County, Texas.

Start of inspections on Mexican tomatoes brings worries about delays
Start of inspections on Mexican tomatoes brings worries about delays

Federal and state agencies in Arizona and Texas are gearing up for the start of mandatory U.S. inspections of Mexican tomatoes on April 1, but worries remain about possible bottlenecks for all produce.

Budget proposal for harvest box draws retail ire

A recycled proposal in President Trump’s fiscal year 2021 budget seeking to incorporate food box deliveries to food stamp recipients is drawing protests from U.S. retail interests.

USDA pulls PACA licenses from eight companies

UPDATED: The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act sanctions on eight companies, restricting them from operating in the industry.

PACA sanctions bar Florida, Texas companies from business

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on three Florida and one Texas business for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

Democrats seek to turn back Trump school meal plan

House Democrats are seeking to thwart President Trump’s plan to change certain standards for school meals put in place by the Obama administration.

Final round of trade payments on their way

The third and final round of U.S. Department of Agriculture 2019 Market Facilitation Program payments to assist growers suffering from trade retaliation by China and other countries are on their way in early February.

Tricia Kovacs named deputy administrator of USDA program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has appointed Tricia Kovacs as deputy administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service’s Transportation and Marketing Program.

Vidalia onion growers vote to continue marketing order

Growers of Vidalia onions in Georgia have voted in favor of continuing the marketing order for the sweet onions.

 A Jan. 23 session at the EcoFarm Conference looked at efforts to curtail organic fraud. (left to right) Laura Batcha, executive director of the Organic Trade Association;  Natalie Kraut, director of the Division of Inspection Services for the California Department of Food and Agriculture,  Jennifer Tucker, deputy administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program; and April Crittenden, chief certification officer for the CCOF.
Public and private efforts both needed to fight fraud

PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. — Government and private sector efforts are both needed to prevent organic fraud, speakers at the 40th annual EcoFarm Conference said.

Frozen mango representatives join national promotion board 

The National Mango Board has its first members representing frozen mangoes.

USDA rules Florida man not ‘responsibly connected’ in PACA case

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has determined that Jeff Pfaff was not “responsibly connected” to a Florida company that violated the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

USDA plan changes fruit, vegetable rules for school meals

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing changes to school meal programs that could limit the variety of vegetables served at lunch and cut fruit servings at some breakfasts.

USDA looks at imports of Japanese muskmelons

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has prepared a pest risk assessment for imports of Japanese muskmelons.

National Mango Board accepting nominations for 3-year terms

The National Mango Board, Orlando, Fla., is seeking nominations for board members whose terms begin in 2021.

Pesticide report: More than 99% of produce samples in compliance

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released its Pesticide Data Program Annual Summary, detailing results from 2018 tests of residues on produce and other items.

U.S. orange forecast stable, Florida encouraged by USDA report

U.S. orange production forecasts have remained steady in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest citrus report, but Florida should expect a slight increase over last year’s final production.

USDA funds growth of Hazel Tech product for berries

Hazel Technologies has received a $100,000 grant from the USDA to further develop its Endure packaging insert to prolong fresh produce shelf life, with a focus on berries.

Jerry D’Amore joins USDA’s organic standards group

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has appointed Jerry D’Amore, who has worked in agriculture for more than four decades, including a focus on berry companies for half that, to the National Organic Standards Board.

USDA seeks info from organic growers for 5-year update

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will be asking more than 22,000 producers of organic products — everything from fresh produce to meat and dairy — about aspects of their operations, from production to marketing.

Ohio State forum focuses on food safety science, policy
Ohio State forum focuses on food safety science, policy

The Center for Foodborne Illness Research and Prevention at The Ohio State University has scheduled a food safety forum.

USDA files PACA action against Florida company 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed an administrative complaint under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act against Genaro Produce Incorporated. 

USDA selects groups to help boost produce consumption

The USDA has tabbed the Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition and Fair Food Network to help develop nutrition incentive programs to increase fruit and vegetable purchases for food stamp recipients.

USDA gives $41 million to boost fresh produce SNAP purchases

Grants totaling more than $40 million have been awarded to programs to give food stamp consumers incentives to eat more fruits and vegetables.

USDA sanctions Florida, Michigan, Texas firms under PACA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on businesses in Florida, Michigan and Texas for violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

Government agencies partner with alliance to fight food waste
Government agencies partner with alliance to fight food waste

Three government agencies are partnering with the Food Waste Reduction Alliance, with plans to formalize industry education and outreach with the three founders of the alliance.

Blueberry groups hire Alicia Adler as vice president

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and North American Blueberry Council have hired Alicia Adler as vice president.

Inspectors find pests in imported pumpkin shipment
Inspectors find pests in imported pumpkin shipment

Pumpkins can be carved into scary jack-o-lanterns this time of the year, but there’s something scarier when it comes to imported pumpkins: invasive species.

Bill seeks more agricultural inspectors at ports of entry
Bill seeks more agricultural inspectors at ports of entry

The U.S. Senate has passed legislation to address a shortage of agricultural inspectors at borders who inspect imports for invasive species and other potential threats.

Eight members join National Watermelon Promotion Board

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has named new members to the National Watermelon Promotion Board.

Produce Delights satisfies PACA order

Produce Delight LLC is no longer barred from operating in the fresh produce industry after satisfying a Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act order.

USDA announces appointments to Hass Avocado Board

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has appointed six people to serve three-year terms on the Hass Avocado Board.

Once a tree is severely infected with huanglongbing, it will experience premature and excessive fruit drop, like this tree in a California grove.
Texas expands citrus greening quarantine area

The quarantined area for citrus greening disease in Texas has expanded to Brazoria and Galveston counties.

Florida, South Carolina businesses restricted for PACA violations

UPDATED: The U.S. Department of Agriculture has restricted Florida and South Carolina businesses from operating in the produce industry due to Perishable Agricultural Act violations.

USDA Reports U.S. is Free of the Plum Pox Virus
USDA Reports U.S. is Free of the Plum Pox Virus

USDA reports the U.S. is free of the plum pox virus. It's a virus that harms stone fruit trees, like peaches and almonds. It can cause yield losses and can reduce the marketability of stone fruit.

USDA finds Nicholas Allen to be connected in PACA case

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has ruled that Nicholas Allen was “responsibly connected” to a company involved in a $10 million PACA case.

USDA lifts Mexfly quarantines in Texas

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has removed four Mexican fruit fly quarantines in Texas.

USDA declares U.S. free of plum pox virus

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared the U.S. is free of the plum pox virus, which harms stone fruit trees like peaches, and almonds.

USDA sanctions companies for failing to pay PACA awards

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is restricting nine businesses from operating in the produce industry for failing to repay debts as ordered through the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

USDA to buy $30 million of U.S. grapes

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is buying $30 million of table grapes.

Students at Faith Family Academy-Oak Cliff enjoy from produce from a salad bar donated by the Dallas Fresh Food Association in May.
United Fresh seminar helps sell produce to schools

The United Fresh Start Foundation has scheduled a web seminar to help companies sell fresh produce to schools.

USDA revises grade standards for fuji apples

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has amended the standards for fuji apples.

USDA files PACA complaint against New York Mart Group

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed an administrative complaint against New York Mart Group Inc., Long Island, N.Y., for failing to pay almost $900,000 to produce sellers.