CDFA ANNOUNCES VACANCIES ON CITRUS, STANDARDIZATION AND SHIPPING POINT INSPECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEES

SACRAMENTO, June 24, 2011 – The California Department of Food and Agriculture is announcing vacancies on the California Citrus Advisory Committee, the Shipping Point Inspection Advisory Committee and the Standardization Advisory Committee. Each committee makes recommendations to the CDFA secretary on the program it oversees, annual budget and necessary fees.
 
The California Citrus Advisory Committee provides recommendations on the California Citrus Program, which ensures minimum maturity and quality standards for California citrus products. Two vacancies are available. Vacancies are for one producer and one handler member (San Joaquin region), representing navel and Valencia varieties. Terms commence on October 1, 2011. For information on the industry funded citrus program and committee vacancies, please contact Susan Shelton at (916) 445-2180.

The Standardization Advisory Committee oversees the department’s Standardization Program which enforces laws and regulations governing minimum standards for maturity, quality, size and packaging of more than 30 major agricultural commodities. Seven vacancies are available. Vacancies are for five fresh vegetable representatives, one fresh fruit representative, and one representative for other commodities. Two of the fresh vegetable vacancies must represent lettuce and one vacancy must represent tomatoes. Terms commence on September 1, 2011. For information on the industry funded Standardization Program and committee vacancies, please contact Susan Shelton at (916) 445-2180.

The Shipping Point Inspection Advisory Committee supervises the Shipping Point Inspection Program which provides third party grading and certification services to the fruit, nut and vegetables industries. The industry funded program supports agricultural producers, packers, shippers and processors by providing a nationally and internationally recognized grading and certification service. 11 vacancies are available. Two vacancies are for shippers of fruit and vegetables, one vacancy is for a public member, and eight vacancies are for alternate members. Terms commence on January 1, 2012.  For information on the Shipping Point Inspection Program and committee vacancies, please contact Steve Thomas at (559) 595-8000.

Applications for committee vacancies will be accepted until the positions are filled. Individuals interested in being considered for an appointment for the various committees should send a letter of consideration and a letter of recommendation from the represented industry. Applications should be sent to Sarah Cardoni, CDFA Inspection and Compliance Branch, 1220 ‘N’ Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 or via e-mail to Scardoni@cdfa.ca.gov.  Clearly indicated the vacancy and advisory committee for which you are applying.

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