WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2010 -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the names of members of the new Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee.
The 25 members were selected from individuals nominated by their peers. Committee members represent fresh fruit and vegetable growers/shippers, fresh fruit and vegetable wholesalers, retailers, industry trade associations, importers, fruit and vegetable processors, foodservice suppliers, fresh-cut processors, brokers and state departments of agriculture. Each member is appointed to a two-year term.
Originally chartered in 2001, the advisory committee advises the Secretary of Agriculture on issues affecting the fruit and vegetable industry. In May 2009, USDA approved a new two-year charter for this committee.
In the coming weeks, USDA will schedule the committee’s first meeting for 2010 in the Washington, D.C. area. More information about the meeting will be published in the Federal Register and at www.ams.usda.gov/fv. Information can also be obtained by emailing robert.keeney@usda.gov or calling (202) 720-4722.
The Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 provides for the establishment and operation of advisory committees within the executive branch of the federal government.
USDA’s Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee Members, 2010-2011:
Andrea Caroe, EarthClaims, LLC , California
Lorna Christie, Produce Marketing Association, Delaware
Jeremy Gillam, Gillam Farms, Arkansas
Alan Hardison, Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo, California
Michael Hollister, Driscoll Strawberry Associates, California
Edwin Kee, DE Department of Agriculture, Delaware
Beth Ann Knorr, Countrywide Conservancy, Ohio
Vaughn Koligian, Sun-Maid Growers of California, California
Tom Lovelace, McEntire Produce , South Carolina
Lisa McNeece, Grimmway Enterprises, Inc., California
Guy Moore, Larriland Farms, Maryland
Paul Newman, First Fruits Marketing, Washington
Robert Nolan, Deer Run Farms, LLC, New York
Dianne Nury, Vie-Del Company, California
Michael O’Brien, Schnuck Markets, Missouri
Russell Poore, Poore’s Nursery and Farm, Kentucky
Howard Popoola, Topco, Inc., Illinois
Brent Roggie, National Grape Coop Association, New York
William “Gee” Roe III, W.G. Roe & Sons, Inc., Florida
William Smittcamp, Wawona Frozen Foods, California
J. Allen Swann, Swann Farms, Maryland
Maureen Torrey, Torrey Farms, New York
Oscar Vizcarra, Becker Farms, New York
Jennifer “Jin Ju” Wilder, Coast Produce, California
Rebecca Wilson, Tom Lange Company, Illinois
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