The USDA added 25 industry representatives to its Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee. These newly appointed and reappointed members will serve two-year terms ending in January 2027.
The Fruit and Vegetable Advisory Committee advises the agriculture secretary on issues affecting the fruit and vegetable industry. Committee members represent organic and non-organic growers, shippers, wholesalers, retailers, industry trade associations, importers, processors, foodservice suppliers, food brokers, state departments of agriculture and farmers markets, and they represent local, regional and national levels.
Newly appointed members are:
Broker/distributor/wholesaler/importer/exporter
- Alice Choi-Barrick, president, Tay Shing Corporation of New York.
- Mike Dill, director of advocacy and sustainability, Organically Grown Co.
- Alex DiNovo, president and chief operating officer, DNO Produce.
- Tony Freytag, executive vice president, adviser to board of directors and CEO Crunch Pak LLC.
- Bill Weyland, vice president of imports, Seven Seas Fruit.
Industry/trade association
- Ken Love, executive director, Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers.
- Jenny Maloney, Americas industry affairs director, Bayer Vegetable Seeds.
Farmers market/food hub/retailer/foodservice
- Roland R. Harmon II, senior director of produce sourcing for California, Walmart.
- Don Wambles, division director, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, Farmers Market Authority Division.
- Eastlyn Marie Wright, Buy Fresh Buy Local program coordinator, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Farm organization/grower/producer/shipper
- Stephen Brazeel, founder and CEO, SunTerra Produce Traders.
- Sarah Davidson Evanega, vice president of business development, Okanagan Specialty Fruits.
- Frank Mazzetti III, council member, Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians.
- Neil Nagata, farmer, Nagata Bros Farms Inc.
- Takashi Nakamura, vice president of research and development and global food safety, Fresh Del Monte.
- Eric Profitt, executive vice president, Grimmway Farms/Cal-Organic.
Re-appointed members include:
Broker/distributor/wholesaler/importer/exporter
- Angel Rafael Santiago, president and CEO, Caribbean Produce Exchange Inc.
Industry/trade association
- Karla J. Stockli, CEO, California Fig Advisory Board
- Kay Swartz Rentzel, executive director, Southeastern Food Processors Association, National Peach Council, and U.S. Sweet Potato Council
Farmers market/food hub/retailer/foodservice
- Anthony M. Mirisciotta, executive director, Spring Creek Food Hub.
Farm organization/grower/producer/shipper
- Amy Jeanne Baker, senior director of quality and regulatory compliance management for Peterson Farms.
- James Robert Benson, national sales director, Hronis Inc.
- Morris Hodges, owner and farm manger, Morris Watermelon Farm LLC.
- Darwin Anthony Inman, vice president of sales and marketing, Horizon Nut Company LLC.
- Reggie Marshall, grower, Reggie’s Veggies.
