Nominations Sought for California Organic Foods Advisory Board

Sacramento, February 6, 2001-The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is seeking nominations to fill four vacancies on the California Organic Foods Advisory Board. Two positions represent farmer/producer interest, and two positions represent consumer views.

In compliance with the California Food and Agricultural Code, the consumer nominee must not have a financial interest in the organic food industry. The nominee must be a representative of a nonprofit organization whose primary purpose is the protection of consumer health.

The producer representative must have derived a substantial portion of their business income, wages, or salary from the production of food sold as organic for at least the past three years.

The duty of this board is to make recommendations to CDFA regarding industry standards, enforcement issues, research, registration fees, and operating budgets. There are approximately four meetings held during the year with additional subcommittee meetings as needed. Board members are reimbursed for official business expenses.

Individuals interested in serving on the board may be nominated by their industry affiliation or can nominate themselves.

Nominations will be accepted until vacancies are filled. Recommendations should be sent to John Wiley, Branch Chief, Fruit, Vegetable and Egg Quality Control, California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 N Street, A-447, Sacramento, Ca 95814. For more information, contact Ray Green, Supervisor of the Organic Program, (916) 654-0919.

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FLEX YOUR POWER. To meet California’s energy challenge, CDFA urges businesses and consumers to conserve. For a list of simple ways that you can reduce demand and cut your energy costs, see our Web site @www.cdfa.ca.gov.