Release No. 189-14

Contact:

Hakim Fobia (202) 690-0488

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2, 2014 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that the USDA Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee will meet Sept. 29-30, 2014, in Arlington, Va. The meeting will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 29 and from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on September 30.

“I am looking forward to the USDA Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee’s September meeting,” said Agricultural Marketing Service Administrator Anne Alonzo, whose agency oversees the Committee. “With over $40 billion in sales, the fruit and vegetable industry is essential to communities all over the country. We are eager to hear from the diverse and distinguished group of Committee members about how USDA can continue to support this important sector.”

At the meeting, Committee members will select a chair and vice chair and discuss a range of issues facing the fruit and vegetable industry before making policy recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture.

Committee members represent a broad cross-section of the industry, including fruit and vegetable growers, shippers, wholesalers, retailers, industry trade associations, importers, processors, foodservice suppliers, brokers, state departments of agriculture, organic producers and marketers, and farmers markets and food hubs. They bring diverse experiences and perspectives to help USDA understand the impact of its programs and how to improve its services.

USDA established the Committee in 2001 to examine the full spectrum of issues facing the fruit and vegetable industry and to provide suggestions and ideas to the Secretary on how the department can tailor its programs to meet the changing needs of the produce industry. To date, the committee has met 14 times and developed over 60 statements and recommendations on issues ranging from food safety to USDA programs. AMS Fruit and Vegetable Program Deputy Administrator Charles Parrott serves as the Committee’s executive secretary.

The meeting is open to the public, with seating available on a first-come basis and will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Va. 22202.

For details on how to submit comments or to arrange special accommodations, contact Marlene Betts, acting designated federal officer for the AMS Fruit and Vegetable Program, at (202) 720-3334 or e-mail marlene.betts@ams.usda.gov.

Additional information on the advisory committee is available on the Internet at: www.ams.usda.gov/fv. Details about the meeting will be published in the, Sept. 3, 2014, Federal Register.

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