The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations from specialty crop stakeholders to serve on the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC). The deadline to submit nominations is Sept. 3, 2024.
The Secretary of Agriculture will appoint up to 25 individuals for two-year terms to succeed members whose terms will expire Oct. 28.
Detailed information about the advisory committee’s background, candidate qualifications, requirements and forms are available on USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service website on the FVIAC Nomination Information webpage.
Nomination packages may be submitted by email to SCPFVIAC@usda.gov, which is preferred, or mailed to: Jennie M. Varela, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Attn: Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee, 1124 1st Street South, Winter Haven, Fla., 33880.
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service administers the FVIAC. Committee members represent the spectrum of the specialty crop industry including shippers, wholesalers, brokers, retailers, processors, fresh cut processors, foodservice suppliers, state agencies, state departments of agriculture and trade association. The FVIAC will meet at least twice a year to develop recommendations on issues impacting the U.S. produce industry.
The USDA encourages nominees who portray 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 industries serving in one of the above-mentioned agricultural capacities.