Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Comittee - Recommendations

Passed along by Scott Danner, here is a list of Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee recommendations from their Feb. 24-25 meeting. More in-depth coverage on the way from The Packer....

1. The FVIAC recommends that USDA propose increases in Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) annual license fees in order to ensure its continued financial viability. The Committee supports PACA Branch recommendations to increase basic license fees to $995, and branch fees to $600, with a cap of $8,000.

2. The FVIAC recommends USDA amend the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) regulations to preserve PACA Trust protection in instances where sellers extend payment terms beyond 30 days in cases involving contractual default of buyers.

3. The FVIAC supports industry efforts to establish a national marketing agreement for leafy greens.

4. The FVIAC strongly supports the establishment of the USDA Fresh Cut Pilot Program for schools and urges its expansion to other commodities as soon as practicable. The Committee respectfully requests that Secretary Vilsack play an active leadership role in implementation of the program. The FVIAC strongly supports the following objectives in the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act in 2009:

· The establishment of a National School Salad Bar policy that would encourage schools to offer salad bars and provide incentives to promote implementation.

· Increase by 35 cents the reimbursement rate for all school meals.

· Significantly expand the commodity purchase of fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables for schools.

· Allow funding for DOD Fresh Program up to $100 million per year.

· Update nutrition standards for school meals consistent with the Dietary Guidelines.