USDA forms fruit, vegetable panel

Six Californians—including San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau President Carlos Castaneda—have been appointed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee.

The committee advises the secretary of agriculture on issues affecting the fruit and vegetable business. Committee members include farmers, shippers, wholesalers, retailers, representatives of trade associations, importers, processors, food-service suppliers, brokers and others.

The 25 people appointed to the committee last week included Castaneda, of Castaneda and Sons of Arroyo Grande; Vaughn Koligian of Sun-Maid Growers in Kingsburg; Lorri Koster of Mann Packing Co. in Salinas; Christopher Puentes of Interfresh Inc. in Orange; Andy Shoemaker of Taylor Fresh Foods in Salinas; and Jennifer "Jin Ju" Wilder of Valley Fruit and Produce Co. in Los Angeles.

In order to create staggered terms, the department said, 11 of the newly appointed members—including Koligian, Puentes and Wilder—will serve two-year terms and the other new appointees will serve for three years. Members were nominated by their peers.