Market Enforcement Branch

For over 40 years, the Pacific Regional Office, California of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has conducted the annual Grape Crush survey through a cooperative agreement with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). To fulfill the reporting requirements of Section 55601.5 of the California Food and Agricultural Code, operations who either crush or purchase grapes in California supply the information contained in these reports. California processors and grape growers fund the report via a fee based on the amount crushed.

Functions:

• License entities such as dealers, brokers, commission merchants, cash buyers, and processors that handle California farm products for the purpose of resale or processing.
• Process complaints filed by producers or licensees. The most common complaints filed are for failure to pay in full, failure to render a true and complete account of sales, and failure to comply with the provisions of a written agreement. Complaints involving fruits and vegetables moving in interstate commerce must first be filed with the United States Department of Agriculture/Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. Market Enforcement Branch (MEB) requires a letter of denial from the federal agency prior to taking any action.
• Investigate alleged violations by licensed or unlicensed entities to ensure that each is in compliance with the Food and Agricultural Code.
• Take disciplinary action when appropriate against licensees, principals, or agents. Actions may range from Notices of Violation, Probation, Suspension, or Revocation of a license, to the Denial of an application for license.
• Refer flagrant violators to local law enforcement agencies for civil and/or criminal prosecutions.