CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ANNOUNCES VACANCIES ON THE CITRUS, ORGANIC PRODUCTS AND STANDARDIZATION ADVISORY COMMITTEES

SACRAMENTO, Monday, August 20, 2007- The California Department of Food and Agriculture is announcing vacancies on the Citrus, Organic Products and Standardization Advisory Committees. Each committee makes recommendations to the CDFA Secretary on all matters pertaining to the program it oversees.

The California Citrus Advisory Committee oversees the department’s citrus program which ensures that consumers can purchase and enjoy nutritious California citrus by maintaining minimum maturity and quality standards in terms of size, color, and sugar content. Six member vacancies are available.

The California Organic Products Advisory Committee oversees the department’s organic program that protects producers, handlers, processors, retailers and consumers of organic foods sold in California by enforcing labeling laws relating to "organic" claims for fresh agricultural products. Ten member vacancies and three alternate member vacancies are available.

The Standardization Advisory Committee overseas the department’s standardization program that works to ensure that California’s fresh fruit and vegetables meet the quality standards that consumers expect. Nine member vacancies are available.

The term of office for a Citrus Advisory Committee and a Standardization Advisory Committee member is two years.  Organic Products Advisory Committee members serve a three year term. Members receive no compensation, but are entitled to payment of necessary traveling expenses in accordance with the rules of the Department of Personnel Administration.

Individuals interested in being considered for an appointment should send a letter of consideration and include a letter of recommendation from the industry. Nominations will be accepted until the positions are filled.  Applications for all committees should be sent to California Department of Food and Agriculture, Inspection and Compliance Branch, 1220 ‘N’ Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.

For additional information, please contact CDFA’s Inspection and Compliance Branch at (916) 445-2180.