Kawamura Appointed to USDA Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee

News Date January 20, 2006

          This week Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced the names of members of the USDA Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee. California Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura will represent the state departments of agriculture on the committee. Originally chartered in 2001, the advisory committee advises the Secretary of Agriculture on issues affecting the fruit and vegetable industry. In June 2005, Johanns approved a new two-year charter for this committee.
          Kawamura currently chairs NASDA's Specialty Crops Task Force and is vice chair of NASDA's Rural Development and Financial Security Policy Committee. He was appointed secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture in November 2003.
          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, food service suppliers, fresh-cut processors, brokers and state departments of agriculture. Each member is appointed to a two-year term. Seven of the members are incumbents from the previous advisory committee. A list of members can be located on USDA's website at http://www.usda.gov/documents/amstable.pdf.
          USDA plans to schedule a committee meeting for Spring 2006 in the Washington, D.C., area. Further information can be obtained from Robert Keeney, deputy administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, by e-mail at robert.keeney@usda.gov. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak)