USDA Seeks Nominees for the Hass Avocado Board

IRVINE, Calif. (April 12, 2013) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking nominations for the Hass Avocado Board.  The Board is composed of 12 members and their alternates, including seven producers and alternates, and five importers and alternates.

The Board will fill a total of seven seats: two producer seats, three producer alternate seats, one importer seat and one importer alternate seat.  The appointees will replace members whose terms expire October 31, 2013 and fill seats that are currently vacant.  Six of the new members will serve three-year terms of office ending October 31, 2016, and one member will serve a one-year term ending October 31, 2014.

The Hass Avocado Board meets periodically to plan marketing and research activities that benefit the industry. The national program, which became effective in 2002, is industry-funded and supports domestic marketing and promotion of Hass avocados.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service oversees the Board’s activities to ensure fiscal responsibility, program efficiency and fair treatment of industry stakeholders.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture encourages board membership that reflects the diversity of the individuals served by the research and promotion programs. All eligible women, minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to seek nomination for a seat on the Hass Avocado Board by the May 13, 2013 deadline.

For more information or for a copy of the nomination forms, contact Emiliano Escobedo or Sarah Reinhart at (949) 341-3250.  They can be reached by email at ee@hassavocadoboard.com and sarah@hassavocadoboard.com.

About the Hass Avocado Board
The Hass Avocado Board (HAB) was established in 2002 to promote the consumption of Hass Avocados in the United States. A 12-member board representing domestic producers and importers of Hass Avocados directs the HAB’s promotion, research and information programs under supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. Hass Avocados are grown in California and imported into the US from Mexico, Chile, Peru, Dominican Republic and New Zealand.