Federal marketing orders are locally administered by committees made up of growers and/or handlers, and often a member of the public. Marketing order regulations, initiated by industry and enforced by USDA, bind the entire industry in the geographical area regulated if approved by producers and the Secretary of Agriculture.

Marketing orders and agreements (1) maintain the high quality of produce that is on the market; (2) standardize packages and containers; (3) regulate the flow of product to market; (4) establish reserve pools for storable commodities; and (5) authorize production research, marketing research and development, and advertising.

Marketing Order Online Service (MOLS) Survey; Submission for OMB Review. Comments due: February 22, 2010. [Notice PDF]

Pistachio Growers Vote to Amend Federal Marketing Order – view September 28, 2009, Press Release

Almond Producers Vote to Continue Federal Marketing Order for California Almonds – view June 17, 2009, Press Release

Amendment of General Regulations for Fruit, Vegetable and Nut Marketing Agreements and Marketing Orders; Addition of Supplemental Rules of Practice for Amendatory Formal Rulemaking Proceedings. Docket No. AMS–FV–08–0061; FV08–900–1 FR. Effective Date: August 21, 2008.