Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products
Overview
Agricultural product graders and sorters ensure the food you eat meets quality standards by carefully examining fruits, vegetables, grains, and other farm products. They sort items by size, color, weight, and condition, removing anything that doesn't meet standards and organizing the good products into proper containers with grade labels. This hands-on work requires attention to detail and knowledge of quality control methods, and it's essential for maintaining food safety in our supply chain. Many workers in this field start with on-the-job training and can advance to supervisory roles or specialize in organic or specialty crop grading.
Did you know?
Must stay current with FDA and USDA food safety regulations, as violations can result in significant legal and financial consequences for employers.
At a Glance
Median Wage
$36,804.57 Avg/yr
Growth
Stable
Top Skill
Complex Problem Solving
Key Responsibilities
- Grade and sort products according to factors such as color, species, length, width, appearance, feel, smell, and quality to ensure correct processing and usage.
- Record grade or identification numbers on tags or on shipping, receiving, or sales sheets.
- Discard inferior or defective products or foreign matter, and place acceptable products in containers for further processing.
- Place products in containers according to grade and mark grades on containers.
- Weigh products or estimate their weight, visually or by feel.
Career Considerations
Regulatory Compliance Knowledge
Must stay current with FDA and USDA food safety regulations, as violations can result in significant legal and financial consequences for employers.
Physical Work Environment
Requires ability to work in cold storage facilities, processing plants, and outdoor conditions while standing for extended periods and handling produce samples.
Seasonal Employment Patterns
Job availability often fluctuates with harvest seasons and peak produce periods, potentially requiring flexibility in work schedules and locations.