National Processed Raspberry Council
The National Processed Raspberry Council is a U.S. organization that promotes and researches processed raspberries. It is part of a commodity checkoff program overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. PurposeThe National Processed Raspberry Council's self-stated mission is to "conduct nutrition research on the health and wellness benefits of raspberries and to promote the consumption of processed raspberries based on research results"[1] The basic core of the council's work centers on research and promotion.[2][3] HistoryThe Washington Red Raspberry Commission initially approached the U.S. Department of Agriculture about establishing a national research and promotion program, better known as a commodity checkoff program.[4] The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service conducted a referendum among affected raspberry growers and importers in June 2011.[4] Support for the raspberry checkoff program was around 88 percent in that referendum.[4][5] As the rule establishing the checkoff program - the Processed Raspberries Research and Promotion Order - was being finalized the USDA put a temporary hold on its implementation.[5] The delay was due to the backlash surrounding the attempted implementation of a similar rule regarding Christmas trees in November 2011.[5] The proposed Christmas tree checkoff created political controversy when it was characterized as a tax in the media.[5] The Washington Red Raspberry Commission expected the program to be implemented in November 2011.[6] After several months of delay the rule establishing the checkoff program was finally implemented in May 2012.[6][4] FundingThe council is funded through a fee assessed on producers and importers of raspberries for processing.[4] The fee is $.01 per pound of raspberries produced or imported.[5] Producers and importers are exempted from the assessment if they produce or import less than 20,000 pounds of the crop.[5] References
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