Jan 28, 2015

Raspberry council seeking nominees

USDA is seeking nominations for the National Processed Raspberry Council.

The council is composed of 13 members and 13 alternates, which consists of six producers and alternates from states producing a minimum of 3 million pounds of raspberries for processing; one producer member and alternate from all other states producing less than 3 million pounds of raspberries for processing; three importer members and alternates; two foreign producer members and alternates, and one at-large member and alternate. Producers and importers of 20,000 pounds per year or more of raspberries for processing and processed raspberries, respectively, are eligible for nomination, according to USDA.

The council is seeking to fill two producer member and alternate seats from states producing a minimum of 3 million pounds of raspberries for processing; one producer member and alternate seat from all other states producing less than 3 million pounds of raspberries for processing; one importer member and alternate seat; and one foreign producer member and alternate seat. All of the members’ terms would begin on Jan. 1, 2016.

In addition to the above, the following seats are currently vacant and need to be filled: One importer alternate seat and one public member and alternate seat for terms ending Dec. 31, 2016.

The council has scheduled its next meeting for May 18-19, 2015, in Blaine, Washington.

The National Processed Raspberry Council meets regularly to plan promotion, marketing and research activities that benefit the industry. This national program, which became effective in 2015, is industry-funded and works to develop, maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets for processed raspberries and raspberries for processing, according to USDA.

For more information or a nomination form, call the council’s executive director, Thomas Krugman, at 360-354-0948.