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Specialty Crops Inspection Division


Food Safety Marketing Helps Pave Path to Success at Produce Auction

November 19, 2015 Ed Avalos, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs

Finding new ways to market the safety and quality of your food is the key to success in the agricultural industry. This is especially true for our small and mid-sized growers who are looking to expand to various outlets. These growers are now turning to produce auctions as a way to sell their food...

Conservation

Creating Opportunities for Georgia's Produce Industry

November 05, 2015 Ed Avalos, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs

A solid vision combined with an innovative approach to reach new markets can yield success in the ag industry. During a recent trip to Atlanta, Ga., I got a chance to talk to state and industry leaders who are using both to solidify the future of their respective organizations. I joined a team of...

Food and Nutrition

GroupGAP: Food Safety Assurance for Growers and Buyers Big and Small

September 30, 2015 Charles Parrott, AMS Specialty Crops Program Deputy Administrator

In the produce industry, food safety is front and center on everyone’s mind. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released some of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) final rules, and retailers are looking to buy from FSMA-compliant suppliers. If you’re a retailer or large produce...

Health and Safety

USDA's Commitment to Quality Foods

September 11, 2015 Charles Parrott, AMS Fruit and Vegetable Program Deputy Administrator and Dave Tuckwiller, AMS Commodity Procurement Program Director

Across the country, schools are back in session. Here at the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), our inspectors and procurement specialists work hard to make sure that quality, domestically-produced foods are delivered to students and other recipients for our federal food purchasing...

Food and Nutrition

USDA Program Helps High School Students Realize Ag Jobs are Everywhere

July 02, 2015 Lorenzo A. Tribbett, Agricultural Marketing Service Fruit and Vegetable Program Specialty Crops Inspection Division Director

Here at the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), one of the many benefits of creating marketing opportunities for ag businesses is seeing first-hand how the industry supports 1 in 12 jobs all over the country. In addition to feeding the world, the ag industry continues to be the strong...

USDA Results Conservation

USDA Goes All in for Produce Safety Outreach

May 29, 2015 Lorenzo A. Tribbett, AMS Fruit and Vegetable Program Specialty Crops Inspection Division Director

For the produce industry, the summer and fall of 2015 is more than a chance to share a new season of crops with customers. It’s when several of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) laws will become final. FSMA will make significant changes to the country’s food...

Health and Safety

Meeting to Prepare Industry for Food Safety Modernization Act Compliance

April 30, 2015 Charles Parrott, Agricultural Marketing Service Fruit and Vegetable Program Deputy Administrator

Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of attending a public meeting held by our colleagues at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide an update for the pending Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). This law will make significant changes to the country’s food safety laws, including the first...

Health and Safety

Strengthening Produce Businesses, One Program at a Time

March 16, 2015 Heather Pichelman, Agricultural Marketing Service Fruit and Vegetable Program Promotion and Economics Division Director

Successful businesses all seem to have a common bond – a commitment to quality, consistency, and integrity. During a recent trip with my colleagues, I saw firsthand the many ways that companies are turning to my agency – the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) – to provide these factors to...

Trade

USDA... Helping Produce Businesses Meet Consumer and Retailer Demand

January 13, 2015 Lorenzo A. Tribbett, AMS Fruit and Vegetable Program Specialty Crops Inspection Division Director

Ensuring that its food meets the demands of its retailers and the consumers who eat it is essential to the success of any produce business. This builds consumer trust and helps retailers confidently supply the food we all eat. To help out on this front, the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS...

Food and Nutrition

Big Help for Small Producers

September 22, 2014 Charles Parrott, AMS Fruit and Vegetable Program Deputy Administrator and
Craig A. Morris, AMS Livestock, Poultry and Seed Program Deputy Administrator

For their communities, small farmers are anything but small. Their contributions are quite large – not only do they provide food for local residents – they also create jobs and economic opportunities. However, retailer requirements and the cost of marketing can make it difficult for small producers...

Food and Nutrition Health and Safety
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