AMS, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Research and Promotions Programs Branch helps the produce and specialty crop industries expand domestic and foreign markets for their commodities. Through these self-help programs, commodity groups are able to establish their own board of industry representatives who conduct promotion, market research, production research and new product development for the benefit of their industries.

The programs are funded by assessments collected by the board and, from port assessments, by the U.S. Customs Service and operate under the supervision of the Research and Promotion Programs Branch.

Requested by industry, Research and Promotion Programs usually do not take effect until they are approved in a national referendum by those who would be covered by the program. From industry nominations, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture appoints national boards to carry out these programs. The boards may be composed of producers, handlers, importers, processors, as well as others in the marketing chain. There are currently nine Research and Promotion Programs for fruits,vegetables, and specialty crops