From the desk of
THE PRODUCE SAFETY TEAM
April 13, 2021
Before your Inspection - Schedule your FREE On-Farm Readiness Review
Many fresh produce growers want to know how ready they are with regards to being FSMA Produce Safety Rule compliant. In an effort to get people ready for their FSMA Produce Safety Inspection, the Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety Team offers FREE On-Farm Readiness Reviews (OFRR's). Watch this video to learn more about the Michigan OFRR program!
Get to know your Produce Safety Technician
Landen Tetil
Produce Safety Technician
The Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety (MIOFPS) program has many options for receiving educational or technical assistance to meet food safety standards on-farm, including the free and confidential on-farm technical assistance provided by Michigan Produce Safety Technicians.
Clearing up the Who, When and How Often of Produce Safety Inspections
Guest Author: Emily Hollingsworth
Produce Safety Specialist | Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
Every farm “covered” by the Produce Safety Rule (meaning they grow, harvest, pack or hold produce that may typically be eaten raw and have average annual produce sales more than $25,000) is now eligible and will get an initial inspection from MDARD by 2026. Initial inspections will focus heavily on identifying any risks and guiding growers to free resources, so food safety improvements can be made before routine inspections start. Inspections encompass your entire farm. We will expect to observe growing fields or greenhouses, harvesting operations, packing operations, holding locations, records, and any equipment or buildings that may otherwise impact produce safety. The focus is on observing your farm in action. A written report will be provided to you following all inspections.
Podcast Episode: What to Expect in an Inspection
This episode features Kristin Esch and Brent Kreiger from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). They give us some insights on produce safety inspections, including the differences between an inspection and an audit, what growers should expect during an inspection, how growers can prepare beforehand, and more.
Michigan State University Extension is offering a FREE course for farm supervisors to provide support as they navigate the requirements of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule. This course will provide supervisors with information about the Produce Safety Rule, and how to use relevant resources to support their farm's compliance with the rule. Space is limited, register today!
To register for our July 2021 Produce Safety Farm Supervisor Training, please email Heather at bordenhe@msu.edu.
Free Produce Safety Plan Support available for Michigan Produce Growers
Produce Growers in Michigan can take advantage of FREE support for developing their Farm Produce Safety Plan.
The Michigan Produce Safety Technicians provide year round, free and confidential one on one support for produce growers! Contact your local Produce Safety Technician today!
In the month of April, the Michigan Farmers Union is offering free one on one assistance for growers that want to take the next step and develop a Farm Food Safety Handbook and Standard Operating Procedures for their farming operation.
Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety Team
1715 Lansing Ave, Jackson, MI 49202 | MSU Extension MACD Produce Safety Technicians
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