AMS Fruit and Vegetable Programs for the U.S. produce industry help buyers and sellers market their perishable products in the most efficient manner possible through distribution channels; partnering with State agencies for the benefit of nationwide growers, shippers, brokers, receivers, processors, and the foodservice industry.
USDA, AMS Grading, Certification and Verification
AMS has developed 158 official grade standards for 85 fresh fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, peanuts, and related commodities since 1928. They describe the quality requirements for each grade of commodity, giving industry a common language for buying and selling. Public input from the produce industry will be solicited to determine if a grade standard needs to be updated, and if so, which elements should be updated. This site will be updated periodically as USDA releaseses additional public notices. Please check back frequently to see what new information has been posted. If you have any questions, please contact Andrew Marshall, who is coordinating this project for United Fresh.
Current Proposed Rules
Recent USDA Final Rules: USDA accepted comments from the public on each notice prior to issuing a Final Rule.(within the last 6 months)
To submit comments, please email FPB.DocketClerk@usda.gov. USDA requests that your comments contain your full name and mailing address (street, city, state, zip code). Your comments must reference the Title and Docket Number.
Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA)
The Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) promotes fair and ethical trading practices in the marketing of fresh produce and frozen fruits and vegetables in interstate and foreign commerce. It prohibits unfair and fraudulent practices and provides a means of enforcing contracts. Under the PACA, anyone buying or selling a threshold amount of commercial quantities of fruit and vegetables must be licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
To apply for a license, to obtain more specific information about licensing requirements, or to find out if a firm is a licensee, one may contact the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service, the agency that administers the PACA licenses, at (800) 495-7222.
Under United Fresh's "User Guide to the PACA", written by noted PACA attorney Steve McCarron, provides a complete overview of and clear explanation of how to operate legally under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. The newest edition of this essential reference source includes discussion of recent expansions of the PACA trust to include restaurants and cruise lines, the fallout of the Hunts Point inspection scandal, the New Dispute Resolution Corporation, the latest PACA rulings on commercial bribery, recent court decisions, and much more.
Click here to see United Fresh's comments on PACA EDI.
To purchase a copy of the PACA User's Guide, click here.
