USDA, Industry Cooperate on Saw Palmetto Issues

USDA, Industry Cooperate on Saw Palmetto Issues

WASHINGTON--The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) may implement a marketing order for the saw palmetto berries industry to "help stabilize market conditions" for fruit and vegetable products. The agency is moving forward after a group of saw palmetto berry suppliers formed a Saw Palmetto Committee to benefit the industry's growth.

The committee meeting brought together several companies, including Chris Wilcox Co., Okeefenokee Botanicals, Plantation Medicinals, RJR Reynolds, Saw Palmetto Berries Co-op of Florida and U.S. Nutraceuticals. The committee is looking at setting a specific harvesting timeframe, defining harvesting areas in Florida and raising funds for a consumer education campaign. The committee also hopes for a daily pricing for saw palmetto berries posted on the agricultural news wire, as well as have inspection and grading conducted by USDA. More information is available from Greg Zaino, Saw Palmetto Berries Co-op, (941) 775-1243.