PRODUCE SAFETY

Our Produce Safety Technician, Morgan Anderson, is dedicated to providing on-farm technical assistance for produce growers. The On-Farm Produce Safety program aims to ensure producers are in compliance with the Produce Safety Rule (PSR),which is housed within the Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA). Produce safety technicians work with growers to navigate produce safety standards and tailor food safety solutions based on the needs of their operation. This assistance can come in a variety of ways, depending on the goals of farmers.

All services provided by the technician are free, voluntary, confidential, and non-regulatory.

The Produce Safety Risk Assessment & On-Farm Technical Assistance 

A key part of Morgan’s role is conducting an on-farm Produce Safety Risk Assessment (PSRA), which are available to any operation with produce– mixed commodity farms are eligible!. Similar to the MAEAP program, the PSRA process involves:

1. Evaluation:

   Invite Morgan to walk around your farm with you. She will explain the program and recommend practical steps you can take to meet program standards and your own food safety goals. Some elements of your operation that Morgan might look at include:

• Water (irrigation and post-harvest)

• Soil Amendments

• Cleaning and Sanitation

• Wildlife Management

• Worker Hygiene and Training

• Food Safety Plans

2. Implementation:

   If you choose to complete your Produce Safety Risk Assessment, the next step is to mitigate high risk practices (if there are any!). You can do these next steps at your own pace, and solutions are customized to fit and work for your operation. Our Produce Safety technician is here to help you every step of the way and can direct you to additional resources, if desired.

3. Produce Safety Certification:

Receiving a Produce Safety Certification is a voluntary next step of the PSRA process. It requires a little bit of additional work from the producer. Once any action steps identified from the PSRA are complete, growers also have to create a documented Food Safety Plan. But do not worry! Morgan is available for any and all assistance in developing your operation’s food safety plan. A Food Safety Plan is tailored for each operation and aims to organize and prepare growers for other food safety regulations, buyer requirements, and questions. Such plans have, but are not limited to, elements relating to: 

• General farm information and description

• Farm maps, policies, training records, water test results, traceability and recall plans

• Risk assessment of practices and environmental conditions on farm that affect food safety

• Practices and actions that reduce food safety risks

• Required Records and other records to document farm practices

After these steps, Morgan will contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). She will deliver a Produce Safety Certificate signed by the Director of MDARD, as well as information to use the Produce Safety Certified logo and marketing materials. The certificate serves as a recognition of the efforts and safety practices of your operation and staff, and enables farms to use the MI Certified Produce Safety logo at points of sale, on merchandise– and in the future, on-farm (like MAEAP!).

On Farm Readiness Reviews

On Farm Readiness Reviews (OFRRs) are an opportunity for growers to walk through their operation and discuss how to meet Produce Safety Rule requirements. On this farm visit, Morgan and MSU Extension Educators use an “Inspectors lens” to leave growers feeling more relaxed, prepared, and confident for a FSMA Produce Safety inspection and implementation.

Sign up for your On Farm Readiness Review Here. 

Cost share

Cost-share is a new resource for the Produce Safety Program, and our technician is excited to offer and utilize cost-share opportunities for growers. Produce safety practices eligible for cost-share include but are not limited to: hand washing stations, pH test strips, water testing costs, etc.

For more information about Produce Safety resources, services, and programs, you can visit the MI On Farm Produce Safety website linked here.

Other than the PSRA, Certification process, and On-Farm Readiness Review, Morgan is available for any general and specific on-farm technical questions and assistance. For any level of produce safety needs or questions, Morgan is a resource available to you! Request a farm visit here. For any questions, contact Morgan at morgan.anderson@macd.org.