Citrus Fruit & 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 2018, Arizona produced and shipped 4.2 billion pounds, equaling approximately 16.8 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 During 2014, over 45 CFV rules were repealed at the request of the CFV Advisory Council because the rules were considered outdated as the fresh produce industry moves towards essential food safety procedures.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 Division, that ensures the Division operates in an efficient and effective manner. Under a cooperative agreement between USDA and the AZDA, CFV oversees all Mexican import inspections. The CFV Division also administers and provides USDA auditing services to the Arizona Leafy Greens Food Safety program.  

The council is comprised of seven producers 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 County