Aug 15, 2017

Fruit, vegetable advisory committee accepting nominations

USDA is seeking nominations to fill vacancies expiring in 2017 on the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC).

FVIAC, administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, was established by USDA in 2001. Members of the committee meet up to two times a year to develop recommendations on issues affecting the U.S. produce industry. Committee members represent a broad cross-section of the industry.

USDA is accepting nominations to fill 10 upcoming vacancies in 2017. The Secretary of Agriculture appoints representatives from the list of nominees to serve two-year terms.

Committee members represent the entire spectrum of the fruit and vegetable industry including shippers, wholesalers, brokers, retailers, processors, fresh cut processors, foodservice suppliers, state agencies, state departments of agriculture, and trade associations. USDA encourages nominees who reflect the full diversity of the produce sector in terms of size and scale of operation, industry role, demographic characteristics, geographic location, and production methods. Board members are reimbursed for meeting travel and associated expenses.

Qualified candidates include active members of the fruit and vegetable industry serving in one of the above mentioned agricultural capacities. Additional information about candidate qualifications, nomination requirements and forms, the nomination process, and the advisory committee background are available on the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee pageon the AMS website.

Written nominations must be received by Sept. 1, and should be emailed to [email protected], or sent to Melissa Bailey, Acting Deputy Administrator, c/o Marlene Betts, Acting Designated Federal Officer, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, USDA Room 2077-S, Stop 0235, Washington, D.C. 20250-0235; or faxed to 202-720-0016.

Details regarding this announcement were published in the Federal Register on Aug. 2.