USDA names 18 new members to industry advisory committee
USDA names 18 new members to industry advisory committee
WASHINGTON -- Eighteen new produce industry members have been tapped to help advise the U.S. Department of Agriculture on policy issues that can affect how produce companies do business.
The 25-member committee attempts to mirror the industry by naming grower-shippers, wholesalers, retailers, trade association members, importers, produce processors, foodservice suppliers, fresh-cut processors, brokers and state departments of agriculture.
Twice a year, the members of USDA's Fruit & Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee have the opportunity to voice concerns about USDA policies and hear briefings by government officials on proposed changes to regulations. In return, USDA gains a new perspective on real-world implementation issues from policy changes.
Some of the prominent issues likely to come up at the spring meeting are changes to grade standards, the reorganization of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act Branch, and new ways to help streamline the delivery of fresh produce to schools, said USDA Agricultural Marketing Service's Andrew Hatch.
The following new members will join the group at the next meeting: Danny Arnold, A-W Produce Co.; Gordon Bowman, Bowman Apple Products Co. Inc.; J. Wayne Brandt, Brandt Farms Inc.; William Brim, Lewis Taylor Farms Inc.; Charles Ciruli, Jr., Ciruli Bros.; Jim Corby, Food Lion; Jeffrey Crist, Crist Bros. Orchards Inc.; Scott Danner, Liberty Fruit Co.; Matthew D'Arrigo, D'Arrigo Bros. Co. of New York Inc.; A.G. Kawamura, California Department of Food & Agriculture; Helen Masser, Sterman Masser Inc.; John Millwater, YUM! Brands; David Patterson, Patterson Farms Inc.; Dan Richey, Riverfront Groves Inc.; John Shelford, Global Berry Farms; Steffanie Smith, Pacific Pre-Cut Produce; Lisa Strube, Strube Celery & Vegetable Co.; and Michael Stuart, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association.
Still serving their two-year stints on the committee are Steve Junqueiro, Save Mart Supermarkets; Jan Kerns, Kerns Rainbow Ranch Inc.; Susan Matsushima, Alluvion Inc.; Matt McInerney, Western Growers Association; Todd Michael, Michael Farms Inc.; Paul Palmby, Seneca Foods Corp.; and Tim York, Markon Corp.
The 25-member committee attempts to mirror the industry by naming grower-shippers, wholesalers, retailers, trade association members, importers, produce processors, foodservice suppliers, fresh-cut processors, brokers and state departments of agriculture.
Twice a year, the members of USDA's Fruit & Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee have the opportunity to voice concerns about USDA policies and hear briefings by government officials on proposed changes to regulations. In return, USDA gains a new perspective on real-world implementation issues from policy changes.
Some of the prominent issues likely to come up at the spring meeting are changes to grade standards, the reorganization of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act Branch, and new ways to help streamline the delivery of fresh produce to schools, said USDA Agricultural Marketing Service's Andrew Hatch.
The following new members will join the group at the next meeting: Danny Arnold, A-W Produce Co.; Gordon Bowman, Bowman Apple Products Co. Inc.; J. Wayne Brandt, Brandt Farms Inc.; William Brim, Lewis Taylor Farms Inc.; Charles Ciruli, Jr., Ciruli Bros.; Jim Corby, Food Lion; Jeffrey Crist, Crist Bros. Orchards Inc.; Scott Danner, Liberty Fruit Co.; Matthew D'Arrigo, D'Arrigo Bros. Co. of New York Inc.; A.G. Kawamura, California Department of Food & Agriculture; Helen Masser, Sterman Masser Inc.; John Millwater, YUM! Brands; David Patterson, Patterson Farms Inc.; Dan Richey, Riverfront Groves Inc.; John Shelford, Global Berry Farms; Steffanie Smith, Pacific Pre-Cut Produce; Lisa Strube, Strube Celery & Vegetable Co.; and Michael Stuart, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association.
Still serving their two-year stints on the committee are Steve Junqueiro, Save Mart Supermarkets; Jan Kerns, Kerns Rainbow Ranch Inc.; Susan Matsushima, Alluvion Inc.; Matt McInerney, Western Growers Association; Todd Michael, Michael Farms Inc.; Paul Palmby, Seneca Foods Corp.; and Tim York, Markon Corp.
