In a June 8 proposal to USDA, United, Western Growers Association, Produce Marketing Association and nine other state and regional entities aimed to foster a more transparent and engaging process as the industry begins to develop a national marketing agreement for the leafy greens sector.

It is expected that USDA will publish a notice of public hearings on the new National Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (NLGMA) in the Federal Register sometime in August with public hearings taking place nationwide the following month.

To build awareness and solicit feedback, the group has established www.nlgma.org where industry members can find copies of and submit comments on the draft agreement, find a copy of the request letter to USDA and some frequently asked questions on the NLGMA and previous agreements, as well as sign on as supporters of the agreement.