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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