USDA appoints members of fruit and vegetable industry group

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has appointed 12 new members to the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee.

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47188395-953B-49F1-9A5BA599EE08E405.jpg
(Courtesy USDA)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has appointed 12 new members to the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee.

They join 12 other members who were re-appointed, according to a news release; their terms end in July 2022, according to a USDA news release.

New members were selected in November.

The new member and their affiliations are:

  • Julie Masser Ballay, Sterman Masser Inc.;
  • Troy Bland, Bland Farms LLC;
  • David Einstandig, Mastronardi Produce-USA Inc.;
  • Lisa Ford, Publix Supermarkets;
  • George Hammer, Indian River Exchange Packers Inc.;
  • Cindy Jewell, Jewell Marketing;
  • Paul Lightfoot, BrightFarms Inc.;
  • Kay Riley, Snake River Produce Co. LLC;
  • David Sherrod, Southeast Council Inc.;
  • Karla Stockli, California Fig Advisory Board;
  • Paul Teague, Teague Produce and Consulting Services; and
  • David Zapf, Naturipe Value-Added Foods LLC.

The re-appointed members are:

  • Kelly Carl “KC: Ely, Freshpoint;
  • Bret Erickson, J&D Produce Inc.;
  • Kiley Harper-Larsen, NK Lago Farms LLC, doing business as The Ag Safety Lady;
  • Michael Janis, San Francisco Wholesale Produce Market;
  • Brian Kirschenmann, Kirschenmann Farms Inc.;
  • Tom Lipetzky, Colorado Department of Agriculture;
  • Paul Palmby, Seneca Foods Corp.;
  • Reade Sievert, Associated Wholesale Grocers;
  • Derrin Wheeler, MBG Marketing;
  • Tommy Wilkins, Grow Farms Texas
  • Charles Wingard, Walter P. Rawl & Sons; and
  • Donn Zea, California Prune Board/Prune Marketing Committee.

The Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee advises the secretary of agriculture on issues that affect the industry. It was first chartered in 2001.

Related stories:

USDA to keep fruit and vegetable committee, seeks new nominees

USDA postpones Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee meeting

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