National Processed Raspberry Council

{{Short description|U.S. agricultural organization}} {{Infobox organization | name = National Processed Raspberry Council | native_name = | native_name_lang = | named_after = | image = | image_size = | image_alt = | caption = | logo = National_Processed_Raspberry_Council_RedRazz_Logo.png | logo_size = | logo_alt = | logo_caption = "Red Razz" logo of the National Processed Raspberry Council | map = | map_size = | map_alt = | map_caption = | map2 = | map2_size = | map2_alt = | map2_caption = | abbreviation = | predecessor = | merged_into = | successor = | formation =  | founder = | founding_location = | extinction =  | merger = | type = | tax_id =  | registration_id =  | status = | purpose = | headquarters = | location = 1796 Front St.{{br}}Lynden, WA 98264-1714 | coordinates = {{coord|48.939441|-122.474427|display=inline, title}} | region_served = | services = | products = | methods = | fields = | membership = | num_members_year = | language = | owner =  | secretary_general = | leader_title = Chairperson | leader_name = John S. Clark | leader_title2 = Vice Chairperson | leader_name2 = Ravinder S. Dhaliwal | leader_title3 = Executive Director | leader_name3 = Thomas Krugman | leader_title4 = | leader_name4 = | board_of_directors = | key_people = | main_organ = | parent_organization = | subsidiaries = | secessions = | affiliations = | budget = $2.7 million | budget_year = October 1, 2015 – September 30, 2016 | revenue = | revenue_year = | disbursements = | expenses = | expenses_year = | endowment = | num_staff = | num_staff_year = | num_volunteers = | num_volunteers_year = | slogan = | mission = | website = {{URL|http://www.redrazz.org/}} | remarks = | former_name = | footnotes = }}

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.

==Purpose== The 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"<ref name=about>"[http://www.redrazz.org/our-story/ Our Story]", ''National Processed Raspberry Council'', official site, accessed November 19, 2014.</ref> The basic core of the council's work centers on research and promotion.<ref name=usda1>"[https://www.ams.usda.gov/?template=TemplateU&navID=LatestReleases&page=Newsroom&topNav=&leftNav=&rightNav1=LatestReleases&rightNav2=&resultType=Details&dDocName=STELPRDC5103490&dID=185187&wf=false&description=Secretary%20Vilsack%20Names%20First%20Processed%20Raspberry%20Council%20Representatives%20 Secretary Vilsack Names First Processed Raspberry Council Representatives]", press release, ''United States Department of Agriculture'', Agricultural Marketing Service, April 12, 2013, accessed November 19, 2014.</ref><ref name=martin>Martin, Greg. "[http://www.aginfo.net/AginfoReportView.cfm?reportid=24895 National Processed Raspberry Council]," radio transcript, via aginfo.net, ''Fruit Grower Report'', May 14, 2013, accessed November 19, 2014.</ref>

==History== The 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.<ref name=usda2>"[https://www.ams.usda.gov/?template=TemplateN&page=FVResearchandPromotionProcessedRaspberries Processed Raspberries Research and Promotion Order]", Research and Promotion Programs, ''United States Department of Agriculture'', Agricultural Marketing Service, last modified June 25, 2013, accessed November 19, 2014.</ref> The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service conducted a referendum among affected raspberry growers and importers in June 2011.<ref name=usda2/> Support for the raspberry checkoff program was around 88 percent in that referendum.<ref name=usda2/><ref name=capress1/>

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.<ref name=capress1>Perkowski, Mateusz. "[http://www.capitalpress.com/content/mp-checkoffs-delayed-040612 Tax anger stalls proposed checkoffs]", ''Capital Press'', April 6, 2012, accessed November 19, 2014.</ref> The delay was due to the backlash surrounding the attempted implementation of a similar rule regarding Christmas trees in November 2011.<ref name=capress1/> The proposed Christmas tree checkoff created political controversy when it was characterized as a tax in the media.<ref name=capress1/> The Washington Red Raspberry Commission expected the program to be implemented in November 2011.<ref name=capress2>"Perkowski, Mateusz. [http://www.capitalpress.com/content/mp-raspberry-checkoff-050712 USDA OKs raspberry checkoff]", ''Capital Press'', May 10, 2012, accessed November 19, 2014.</ref> After several months of delay the rule establishing the checkoff program was finally implemented in May 2012.<ref name=capress2/><ref name=usda2/>

==Funding== The council is funded through a fee assessed on producers and importers of raspberries for processing.<ref name=usda2/> The fee is $.01 per pound of raspberries produced or imported.<ref name=capress1/> Producers and importers are exempted from the assessment if they produce or import less than 20,000 pounds of the crop.<ref name=capress1/>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.redrazz.org/ National Processed Raspberry Council]: official site *[https://web.archive.org/web/20141129091910/http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5104313 Processed Raspberries Research and Promotion Order]

Category:Agricultural organizations based in the United States Category:Commodity checkoff programs Category:Food industry trade groups Category:Raspberry