About us

The Citrus, Fruit and Vegetable Division as set forth in A.R.S. § 3-441 and A.R.S. § 3-481 provides produce licensing, collection of statistical data and fresh produce administrative assistance.  Citrus, Fruit and Vegetable Division formerly monitored and enforced quality standards.  Under the recommendation of the Citrus, Fruit and Vegetable Division Advisory Council, the Citrus, Fruit and Vegetable Division  has moved toward a food safety program instead of a produce quality program. The Citrus, Fruit and Vegetable Advisory Council meets quarterly and advises the Associate Director on all issues pertaining to Citrus, Fruit and Vegetable Division .

Statistical data is collected from Arizona Shippers, who are the first handlers of produce.  Citrus, Fruit and Vegetable Division assists the Arizona Citrus Research Council (ACRC) and the Arizona Iceberg Lettuce Research Council (AILRC) in the collection of assessments and statistical data.  ACRC and AILRC support the development of citrus and iceberg lettuce research programs and projects within the Arizona produce industry.

This Division is entirely industry funded through license fees and carton assessments and uses no general fund monies. We work closely with a governor appointed industry advisory council, which meets quarterly and advises the Associate Director on all issues pertaining to Citrus, Fruit and Vegetable Division.

For more information please contact Robert Nick at 602-542-0439.

Citrus, Fruit, and Vegetable Advisory Council

The Legislature established the Citrus, Fruit and Vegetable Advisory Council to support and oversee the industry-funded Citrus, Fruit and Vegetable Division (CFV) which provides quality  inspection and  food safety auditing for the Arizona fresh produce industry. In 2015, Arizona produced and shipped 3.4 billion pounds, equaling approximately 13.6 trillion servings of fresh fruits and vegetables nationwide. The Council supports and provides direction to the CFV by reviewing statutes and rules, and recommending changes relating to inspection procedures and training.  During 2014, over 45 CFV rules were repealed at the request of the CFV Advisory Council because the rules were considered outdated as the fresh produce industry moves towards essential food safety procedures.

The Council currently oversees the implementation and training for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule that became effective November 2015. This law effect all Arizona fresh produce growers.  The Council provides an integral  link between the industry and the CFV , that ensures the division operates in an efficient and effective manner.  

Council is comprised of nine members appointed by the Governor:

Two fruit/vegetable producers from Yuma or La Paz County
One fruit/vegetable producers from Maricopa, Pinal or Pima County
One at large fruit/vegetable producer
One at large citrus producer
One iceberg lettuce producer from Yuma County
One apple, grape or tree fruit producer
One Small Farm at large
One Holder, from Santa Cruz Count

FSMA - Produce Safety Rule Program

In September 2016, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) awarded the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) a five year grant/cooperative agreement to implement the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule(link is external).

Under the Cooperative Agreement, Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) will provide statewide training and outreach for the Produce Safety Rule. The AZDA facilitates the required Produce Safety Alliance – Produce Safety Rule Grower Training(link is external) (Click here to register(link is external)). Training staff will also provide one-on-one consultations during a scheduled On-Farm Readiness Review to help farms understand and better comply with the Produce Safety Rule.

The Cooperative Agreement also covers regulatory oversight and compliance, for which the Arizona Department of Agriculture has gained legislative authority after Arizona farmers opted for AZDA inspectors.

Arizona Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement- Arizona Leafy Greens Food Safety Committee(link is external)

Citrus, Fruit and Vegetable Division assisted in the implementation and in the current administration of the State of Arizona’s first marketing agreement.  Arizona Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (Arizona LGMA) provides food safety audits to the Arizona produce industry and is managed by the Arizona Leafy Greens Food Safety Committee.  The Arizona Leafy Greens Food Safety Committee is made up of five signatory members, elected by all of the Arizona LGMA signatories.  Arizona is the second largest leafy green producer in the United States.  Arizona LGMA members represent 97% of leafy green products grown in Arizona.  For more information please visit www.arizonaleafygreens.org(link is external) or contact Teressa Lopez at (602) 542-0945.

Arizona Federal State Inspection Service- Fresh Produce Grade Inspection

The Arizona Federal-State Inspection Service, Fresh Produce Grade Inspection operates under a cooperative agreement between the United States Department of Agriculture and the Arizona Department of Agriculture and is managed by Citrus, Fruit and Vegetable Division . The Cooperative Agreement Objective is to make the inspection service for fresh fruits, vegetables and other products, more widely available to growers, shippers, processors and receivers than would be possible without the cooperation of the State Agency.  Arizona Federal-State Inspection Service has inspection offices in Phoenix, Nogales and Yuma. These offices deliver USDA inspections to Arizona’s produce industry, conducting Market Inspections, Shipping Point Inspections, Auditing Services, Process Product Inspections, and relief work as needed to USDA. Revenues include inspection fees.

If you need a fresh produce grade inspection, please contact:
Nogales (520) 281-0783, ext. 3
Phoenix (602) 542-0880
Yuma (928) 317-1345

Organic Certification Cost Share Reimbursement Program

Through a federal grant, the Citrus, Fruit and Vegetable Division oversees the Organic Certification Cost Share (OCCS) reimbursement program. The OCCS provides cost share assistance to producers and handlers who are obtaining organic certification for the first time or renewing their previous certification. Cost share assistance is provided on a first come, first served basis, as long as funds are available. Sign-up begins on August 1st, 2024 and the application deadline is December 3rd, 2024.  For more information please contact Robert Nick at (602) 542-0439.