The processed raspberries R&P program operates as the National Processed Raspberry Council. The program's purpose is to maintain and expand existing markets and develop new markets for processed raspberry products. The program is administered under AMS oversight by the National Processed Raspberry Council (Council), which is composed of producers, importers, foreign producers and an at-large member.
The Council conducts market research and development projects, promotion, and related activities. The program is financed by an assessment on producers of raspberries for processing and importers of processed raspberries. The initial assessment rate is 1 cent per pound and shall not exceed 1 cent per pound. Producers and importers of less than 20,000 pounds annually of raspberries for processing and processed raspberries, respectively, are exempt from the assessment. The Council’s budget for the period of October 1, 2015, through September 30, 2016, is approximately $2.7 million.
In May 2012, AMS issued the Processed Raspberry Promotion, Research, and Information Order, which created the program under the authority of the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 (pdf).
Organizational Structure
The Council is composed of 13 members and their alternates appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. The Council consists of 6 producers from States producing a minimum of 3 million pounds of raspberries for processing, 1 producer member from all other States producing less than 3 million pounds of raspberries for processing, 3 importers, 2 foreign producers from countries exporting a minimum of 3 million pounds of raspberries for processing, and 1 at-large member. The Council’s composition may change periodically to reflect geographic shifts in volume.
The Council’s headquarters is in Lynden, Washington. You can access a listing of current Council members and alternates on the Processed Raspberry Council roster (pdf).
Visit The Processed Raspberry Council’s Website >
Organic Assessment Exemption
R&P programs allow persons that produce, handle, market, process, manufacture, feed or import “organic” and “100 percent organic” products to be exempt from paying assessments regardless of whether they are a “split” operation.