USDA Names Fruit and Vegetable Board

WASHINGTON - Jan 17/06 - SNS -- The USDA appointed members to the new Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee.

Originally chartered in 2001, the advisory committee advises the Secretary of Agriculture on issues affecting the fruit and vegetable industry. In June 2005, the USDA approved a new two-year charter for this 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. Seven of the members are incumbents from the previous advisory committee.

Appointed were:

Danny Arnold A-W Produce Company Texas

Gordan Bowman Bowman Apple Products Co., Inc. Virginia

J. Wayne Brandt Brandt Farms, Inc. California

William Brim Lewis Taylor Farms, Inc. Georgia

Charles Ciruli, Jr. Ciruli Brothers/Amex Distributing Company Arizona

Jim Corby Food Lion, LLC North Carolina

Jeffrey Crist Crist Brothers Orchards, Inc. New York

Scott Danner Liberty Fruit Company Kansas

Matthew D’Arrigo D’Arrigo Brothers Co. of New York, Inc New York

Steve Junqueiro Save Mart Supermarkets California

A.G. Kawamura California Department of Food and Agriculture California

Jan Kerns Kerns Rainbow Ranch, Inc. Oregon

Helen Masser Sterman Masser, Inc Pennsylvania

Susan Matsushima Alluvion, Inc. Hawaii

Matt McInerney Western Growers Association California

Todd Michael Michael Farms, Inc. Ohio

John Millwater YUM! Brands Texas

Paul Palmby Seneca Foods Corp. Wisconsin

David Patterson Patterson Farms, Inc. Ohio

Dan Richey Riverfront Groves, Inc./Riverfront Packing Company Florida

John Shelford Global Berry Farms Florida

Steffanie Smith Pacific Pre-Cut Produce California

Lisa Strube Strube Celery and Vegetable Co. Illinois

Michael Stuart Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association Florida

Tim York Markon Corp. California