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    311421 - Fruit and Vegetable Canning

    The food manufacturing industry is vast and diverse, with numerous specialized sectors contributing to the food supply chain. One such sector is NAICS code 311421, which focuses on Fruit and Vegetable Canning. This industry plays a vital role in preserving fruits and vegetables for retail and wholesale markets, ensuring year-round availability and convenience for consumers. Whether you’re a business owner, supplier, or government contractor, understanding NAICS 311421 can help you navigate opportunities and compliance requirements within this niche.


    What Is NAICS Code 311421?

    NAICS code 311421 designates establishments primarily engaged in the canning, freezing, and preserving of fruits and vegetables in cans or jars. This includes the processing and packaging of these products for further distribution. The facilities under this code handle a variety of operations, from brining and pickling to producing sauces and jams, emphasizing preservation and quality control.


    Sector Overview: Food Manufacturing

    NAICS 311421 falls within the Food Manufacturing sector, which covers all forms of processing raw agricultural products into finished food items. This classification highlights the following key activities:

    • Canning of fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, corn, peas, and berries
    • Manufacturing fruit and vegetable juices, both fresh and canned
    • Producing relishes, sauces, salsas, and preserves for retail use
    • Brining and pickling various vegetables and fruits to extend shelf life

    Size Standards for NAICS 311421

    For contracting and regulatory purposes, businesses classified under NAICS 311421 are considered small if they have 1,000 or fewer employees. This size standard helps define eligibility for small business programs and government contracts, providing potential growth opportunities for qualifying firms.


    Typical Businesses Under NAICS Code 311421

    Examples of companies or business activities under this NAICS code include:

    • Canning of tomatoes, corn, peas, and other vegetables
    • Processing and canning fruit cocktail, mixed vegetables, and fruit juices
    • Manufacturing barbecue sauce, catsup (ketchup), salsa, and spaghetti sauces
    • Brining and pickling olives, onions, and cucumbers
    • Producing jams, jellies, fruit butters, marmalades, and preserves
    • Canning mushrooms, hominy, sauerkraut, and horseradish (excluding sauce)

    NAICS 311421 Code Details Table

    Activity Category Description
    Artichokes, canned, manufacturing Canning artichokes for retail or wholesale distribution
    Barbecue sauce manufacturing Producing and packaging barbecue sauces
    Berries, canned, manufacturing Processing and canning different berry varieties
    Beverages, fruit and vegetable juice, manufacturing Making fruit and vegetable juices, fresh or canned
    Brining of fruits and vegetables Preserving fruits and vegetables by brining
    Canning fruits and vegetables General canning of various fruits and vegetables
    Canning jams and jellies Manufacturing and packaging jams and jellies
    Catsup manufacturing Ketchup production and packaging
    Chili sauce manufacturing Making and canning chili sauces
    Fruit brining Preserving fruits through brining
    Fruit butters manufacturing Producing fruit butter varieties
    Fruit juice canning Canning of various fruit juices
    Fruit juices, fresh, manufacturing Processing fresh fruit juices
    Fruit pickling Pickling different fruit products
    Fruit pie fillings, canning Preparing and canning pie fillings
    Fruits pickling Pickling assorted fruits
    Fruits, canned, bottled, and jarred, manufacturing General manufacturing of canned, bottled, and jarred fruits
    Hominy, canned, manufacturing Processing and canning hominy
    Horseradish (except sauce) canning Canning horseradish root (excluding sauces)
    Jellies and jams manufacturing Producing and packaging jellies and jams
    Juices, fruit or vegetable, canned manufacturing Canning vegetable and fruit juices
    Juices, fruit or vegetable, fresh, manufacturing Fresh juice production
    Ketchup manufacturing Manufacturing ketchup products
    Marmalade manufacturing Making and canning marmalades
    Mushrooms canning Canning mushrooms
    Olives brined Brining olives for preservation
    Onions pickled Pickling onions
    Pastes, fruit and vegetable, canning Making and canning fruit and vegetable pastes
    Pickles manufacturing Processing and canning pickles
    Pickling fruits and vegetables Preserving fruits and vegetables by pickling
    Preserves (e.g., imitation) canning Producing and canning preserves
    Relishes canning Manufacturing relishes
    Salsa canning Processing and packaging salsa
    Sauces, tomato-based, canning Manufacturing tomato-based sauces
    Sauerkraut manufacturing Producing and packaging sauerkraut
    Spaghetti sauce canning Canning spaghetti and pasta sauces
    Vegetable brining Brining vegetables
    Vegetable canning, bottling, and jarring General canning and packaging of vegetables
    Vegetable juices canning Canning vegetable juices
    Vegetable juices, fresh, manufacturing Processing fresh vegetable juices
    Vegetables pickling Pickling assorted vegetables

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    What types of products fall under NAICS 311421?

    This code includes canned fruits, vegetables, pickles, sauces, jellies, preserves, brined items, and fruit and vegetable juices—both fresh and canned.

    What sector does NAICS 311421 belong to?

    It belongs to the Food Manufacturing sector, specifically focused on canning and preserving fruits and vegetables.

    How many employees can a small business have under this NAICS code?

    The size standard is up to 1,000 employees to qualify as a small business for government contracting and other purposes.

    Can businesses that produce tomato sauces or salsas be classified under 311421?

    Yes, manufacturing and canning tomato-based sauces, salsas, and spaghetti sauces fall under this code.

    Is freezing and canning part of this NAICS code?

    Yes, establishments engaging in freezing and canning fruits and vegetables are included.


    Conclusion

    NAICS code 311421 - Fruit and Vegetable Canning is a critical industry classification within food manufacturing, encompassing a wide spectrum of businesses involved in the preservation and packaging of fruits and vegetables. Understanding its scope, typical activities, and size standards can empower businesses to better position themselves for growth, compliance, and contracting opportunities within this essential sector.


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