USDA Announces Intent to Renew Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee Charter, Seeks Nominees

Date
October 22, 2019

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced it intends to renew the charter of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC) and seeks nominees to fill three vacancies on the committee.

USDA is set to renew the committee’s charter for two years as required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The current charter expires on March 26, 2020.

The department is also seeking nominees to fill three seats on the FVIAC. Individuals selected would serve two-year terms from March 27, 2020, to March 26, 2022. Additionally, USDA is asking for nominations to develop a pool of candidates to fill future unexpected vacancies should they occur. The Secretary of Agriculture appoints members from the list of nominees.

Detailed information about the advisory committee’s background, candidate qualifications, requirements and forms are available in the Federal Register notice published on Oct. 22, 2019.

Nomination packages can be submitted electronically by email to SCPFVIAC@usda.gov. Packages may also be mailed to Darrell Hughes, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., South Building-Room 2083-STOP 0235, Washington, DC 20250-0235, Attn: Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee. Electronic submissions are preferred.

Nomination packages are due by Nov. 21, 2019.

USDA invites interested persons to submit comments on this notice at Regulations.gov. Comments are due no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on Nov. 6, 2019.

Established in 2001, the FVIAC is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). 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. The FVIAC meets in person at least twice a year to develop recommendations on issues affecting the U.S. produce industry.

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. Qualified candidates include active members of the fruit and vegetable industry serving in one of the above-mentioned agricultural capacities.

More information about the committee is available on the AMS Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee webpage.

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