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The committee makes recommendations to the CDFA secretary on all matters pertaining to the department’s Shipping Point Inspection Program.
The Shipping Point Inspection Program provides third party grading and certification services to the fruit, nut and vegetable industries throughout state – ensuring that California’s specialty crops meet identified quality standards.
The program supports agricultural producers, packers, shippers and processors by providing a nationally and internationally recognized grading and certification service.
Four member vacancies and eight alternate member vacancies are available. Individuals serving on the committee must be fruit or vegetable shippers that use the certification and grading services offered by the department. The term of office for committee members is three years.
Members receive no compensation, but are entitled to payment of necessary traveling expenses in accordance with the rules of the Department of Personnel Administration.
Individuals interested in being considered for an appointment should send a letter of consideration and include a letter of recommendation from the industry. Nominations will be accepted until the positions are filled.
Applications should be sent to Rick Jensen, California Department of Food and Agriculture, Inspection and Compliance Branch, 1220 ‘N’ Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, or emailed to
For further information on the Shipping Point Inspection Program and committee vacancies, contact Rick Jensen at 916-445-2180.
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The showcase will take place from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Fritch Hall at Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St.
Several chamber members will be showcasing their business services and products.
Businesses represented to date are Gaia Energy Systems, Shred-It, Bicoastal Media, Makiivka Estate, Harbor House Espresso, Solo Flight Academy, Rosa d'Oro Vineyards, AGM Property Management, Heart Warmer Pockets, AMIA (Bluegrass Festival), Jones Mortuary, Pre-paid Legal, CPS Country Air, CAAA, Lakeview Market and Mendo Lake Credit Union.
The showcase is open to the public, free of charge.
Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. and is catered by Julie Hoskins, Chic Le Chef. The cost for dinner is $25 per person.
Prospective members wishing to stay for the dinner should contact the Chamber at 707-263-5092 to make dinner reservations, no later than noon on Monday, April 13.
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The workshop will be held from 6 p.m. to 6:59 p.m. in the city council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St. The workshop will start promptly at 6 p.m., there is still time to RSVP and let us help you grow your business.
Email is a proven and effective communication and marketing tool, but many people don’t use it to its fullest potential. Is your business using email to achieve its goals?
A 2008 study by the Direct Marketing Association shows a return on investment of $45 for every $1 spent on email marketing. This is over twice the return on investment of other forms of Internet marketing, and nearly triple that of “offline” marketing such as postal mail or telephone. In these tough economic times, we can’t afford to waste marketing dollars!
Part of the “59 Minutes to a Better Business” monthly workshop series, this workshop will be conducted by Eric Schlange, former chairman of the chamber’s technology committee.
Schlange runs three different Internet-centric companies including BitSculptor, a local Web site development, hosting and marketing firm. He also consults with customers on a regular basis, helping them market effectively via email.
Topics covered in this short workshop include:
Email list marketing;
Managing your email workload;
Composing effective emails;
Avoid receiving (and sending) spam;
The future of email.
The cost is free to chamber members, or $10 for non-members. Space is limited – make your reservation today.
Please RSVP online, by phone at 707-263-5092 or via email at
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SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the UC Davis-based Center for Produce Safety (CPS) have signed a no-cost agreement to enhance the department’s food safety grants process and leverage additional funding.
“The Center for Produce Safety’s exemplary grant-review process adds substantial technical expertise to this program,” said CDFA Secretary A.G. Kawamura. “Add to that their ability to provide matching funds for these projects, and it’s easy to see how this agreement will help strengthen the safety of our food supply.”
“Food safety is a focal point for consumers,” said CPS Executive Director Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli. “Both of our organizations are dedicated to ensuring the highest possible confidence in California’s food supply, and this partnership will accelerate the research and other projects that will help us achieve that common goal.”
CDFA recently announced a specialty crop grants program that will award up to $15 million to projects that enhance the competitiveness of California’s specialty crops.
The department intends to dedicate a portion of this funding to projects that improve food safety; exact amounts will depend on the strength of the various proposals, and on final notice from USDA regarding available funding.
CDFA receives funding for this grant program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its Agricultural Marketing Service.
Under the agreement, CPS will issue a request for food-safety grant proposals, assemble an appropriate technical review committee to conduct reviews, and submit recommendations for funding to CDFA. The two organizations will later collaborate on the announcement and dissemination of research results.
For the purposes of this program, specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture).
Prospective applicants for food safety grants may contact CPS at 916-757-5777 or visit www.cps.ucdavis.edu.
Prospective applicants for other specialty crop grants may contact CDFA’s Federal Funds Management Office at 916-657-3231 or