[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 16, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 76330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-29657]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 242 / Tuesday, December 16, 2008 / 
Notices  

[[Page 76330]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV-08-381]


Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to notify all interested parties 
that the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will hold a Fruit and 
Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (Committee) meeting that is open 
to the public. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) established 
the Committee to examine the full spectrum of issues faced by the fruit 
and vegetable industry and to provide suggestions and ideas to the 
Secretary of Agriculture on how USDA can tailor its programs to meet 
the fruit and vegetable industry's needs. This notice sets forth the 
schedule and location for the meeting.

DATES: Tuesday, February 24, 2009, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 
Wednesday, February 25, 2009, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

ADDRESSES: The first day of the Committee meeting will be held at the 
Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1480 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202, and the 
second day will be held at the USDA South Building, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Room 3501-S, Washington, DC 20250.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Hatch, Designated Federal 
Official, USDA, AMS, Fruit and Vegetable Programs. Telephone: (202) 
690-0182. Facsimile: (202) 720-0016. E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App. II), the Secretary of Agriculture established 
the Committee in August 2001 to examine the full spectrum of issues 
faced by the fruit and vegetable industry and to provide suggestions 
and ideas to the Secretary on how USDA can tailor its programs to meet 
the fruit and vegetable industry's needs. The Committee was re-
chartered in July 2003, June 2005 and again in May 2007 with new 
members appointed by USDA from industry nominations. This is the 
Committee's final meeting under the current 2-year charter.
    AMS Deputy Administrator for Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Robert 
C. Keeney, serves as the Committee's Executive Secretary. 
Representatives from USDA mission areas and other government agencies 
affecting the fruit and vegetable industry will be called upon to 
participate in the Committee's meetings as determined by the Committee 
Chairperson. AMS is giving notice of the Committee meeting to the 
public so that they may attend and present their recommendations. 
Reference the date and address section of this announcement for the 
time and place of the meeting.
    Topics of discussion at the Committee meeting will include: 
Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act license fees, labor and 
immigration legislation, the National Organic Program, and a review of 
products, including fresh-cut items, that USDA purchases for the 
National School Lunch Program and other domestic outlets. Additional 
agenda items can be expected.
    Those parties that would like to speak at the meeting should 
register on or before February 6, 2009. To register as a speaker, 
please e-mail your name, affiliation, business address, e-mail address, 
and phone number to Mr. Andrew Hatch at: [email protected] or 
facsimile to (202) 720-0016. Speakers who have registered in advance 
receive priority. Groups and individuals may submit comments for the 
Committee's consideration to the same e-mail address. The meeting will 
be recorded, and information about obtaining a transcript will be 
provided at the meeting.
    The Secretary of Agriculture selected a diverse group of members 
representing a broad spectrum of persons interested in providing 
suggestions and ideas on how USDA can tailor its programs to meet the 
fruit and vegetable industry's needs. Equal opportunity practices were 
considered in all appointments to the Committee in accordance with USDA 
policies.
    If you require special accommodations, such as a sign language 
interpreter, please use the contact name listed above.

    Dated: December 10, 2008.
James E. Link,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E8-29657 Filed 12-15-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P