Agricultural Marketing Service

USDA’s fruit and vegetable advisory group meets in February

The USDA Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC) is preparing for its next meeting. The committee will have a virtual meeting from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern on March 4-5, 2024. The USDA... more »

Cranberry Marketing Order suspended in wake of vote

The USDA is no longer collecting assessments from cranberry growers and handlers after they voted to discontinue the Cranberry Marketing Order. The marketing order regulated the handling of cranberries grown in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut,... more »

USDA: Protect your PACA rights

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is reminding buyers and sellers of fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables subject to the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) how to preserve their rights when using electronic invoicing. Buyers... more »

USDA adds specialty crops to market news app

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has added specialty crops to the USDA Market News App 2.0 update. The free app gives producers and others in the supply chain instant access to market information about conventional... more »

USDA to update GAP Harmonized Food Safety Standards

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is updating the Produce Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Harmonized Food Safety Standards for field operations, harvesting and post-harvest operations. The changes will align the USDA food safety audit checklists... more »

AMS streamlines import process for certain fruits

The Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) participation in the government-wide International Trade Data System (ITDS) is expanding from a three-port pilot program to a nationwide pilot, which is accepting filings at all U.S. ports of entry.... more »

Blueberry industry to continue research, promotion order

Highbush blueberry producers and importers have voted to continue the Blueberry Promotion, Research and Information Order. In a referendum held from July 5 to July 28, 74 percent of the producers and importers voting, and... more »

USDA cites Old Fashion Honey Corp for PACA violations

USDA has cited Old Fashion Honey Corp., doing business as U.S. Food Logistics, Delray Beach, Florida, for failure to pay for produce. The company failed to pay $1,239,751 to five sellers for 30 lots of... more »

Agricultural Marketing Service updates user fees

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has published 2016 rates it will charge for voluntary grading, inspection, certification, auditing and laboratory services for a variety of agricultural commodities including meat and poultry, fruits and vegetables, eggs, dairy products,... more »

USDA launches new GroupGAP program

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced the official launch of GroupGAP, a new certification program that helps small and mid-sized growers and cooperatives meet retailers' on-farm food safety requirements. "We know that GAP certification can... more »

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