A panel designed to provide important information to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on policies for the fresh produce industry is set to be created by US agricultural secretary Tom Vilsack.
The Fruit and Vegetable Advisory Committee, which was first formed in 2001, will be made up of 25 members representing the fruit and vegetable industry in the UK, including growers, shippers, wholesalers, brokers, retailers, processors, fresh-cut processors, foodservice suppliers, state agencies and trade associations.
Produce industry trade association United Fresh has welcomed the move – one that it says it has lobbied for over a number of years.
Tom Stenzel, president of United Fresh, served on the first committee of its type in 2001, with the group describing the panel as an 'important vehicle' for the fresh produce industry to provide direct input to the USDA on crucial issues.
'United Fresh looks forward to continuing to work closely with USDA on this effort, and will be submitting a list of nominations to serve on the next committee,' the association said in a statement. 'The USDA deadline is 1 July 2009 – we welcome interest from any United Fresh members.'
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