ASCE Topic Areas Under Development

The following topics are under development and address needs which were raised to USDA by various specialty crop stakeholders and groups during ASCE consultations. Additional funding opportunities are continually being developed on a rolling basis. FAS would welcome input from the public and specialty crop stakeholders on these project concepts. Please contact ASCEadmin@usda.gov with input. 

Project Concept: Responding to Codex Committee on Fats and Oils Data Call 

This ASCE project concept is to support U.S. olive oil producers by funding the data collection and analysis needed for data on U.S. olive oil to respond to the data call by the Codex Committee for Fats and Oils (CCFO) as it considers future revisions to the Codex Standard for Olive oils and Olive Pomace oils. These parameters include pyropheophytin “a” (PPP) and % 1,2-diglycerides (DAGs), which are used as indicators for age and shelf-life. Because there was lack of sufficient data for their inclusion as quality parameters, PPP and DAGs were excluded from the standard at CCFO28 (2024). However, CCFO agreed that if sufficient data was collected and reviewed before CCFO29 (2026), it would consider the inclusion of these parameters at CCF030 which will be held in 2028. The details from the Codex Alimentarius Commission about the requirements for submission of scientific data and information on olive oil, as well as the protocol and template for the data collection and presentation which would be used for this project can be found here: https://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/sh-proxy/en/?lnk=1&url=https%253A%252F%252Fworkspace.fao.org%252Fsites%252Fcodex%252FCircular%252520Letters%252FCL%2525202024-36%252Fcl24_36e.pdf 

Project Concept: Specialty Crop Exporter Trainings 

This ASCE project concept is to develop and implement export trainings designed specifically for specialty crop exporters, including both live/virtual trainings and self-paced/online modules. The courses would cover all aspects of exporting necessary for a small business to understand and begin exporting produce or nuts from the United States, as well as for existing exporters to expand to new markets, covering issues specific to fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, and other specialty crops. The trainings should be organized by an entity with demonstrated experience with exporter training focused on fruits, vegetables, and nuts, connections with industry and regulatory experts, and which can direct businesses to additional resources which are crop or country specific.  This project addresses the knowledge gap about how to export identified by many different specialty crops groups during their consultations with USDA.