Food Safety
Farmers need to take steps to minimize pathogen contamination during production and harvest of their fresh produce. They should avoid side-dressing with manure, exclude animals near fields, promote proper worker hygiene in the field, test irrigation water quality, select irrigation methods that minimize crop wetting or allows for leaves to dry quickly, clean and sanitize harvest bins, promote cleanliness at U-Pick, and keep produce cool.
As consumers demand safer food, a growing number of retailers are requiring farmers to have independent, 3rd-party inspections of farms, certifying that their fruits and vegetables are being grown, harvested and packaged using Good Agricultural Practices.
Relevant Event
EPA Worker Protection Standard Update
The updated Worker Protection Standard took effect on January 2, 2017. The NYS DEC has the right toconduct inspections to certify that growers are in compliance with regulations for agricultural pesticides including organics. Inspections include WPS, record keeping, and pesticide storage. Read more about what you need to know to comply with the changes.
FSMA Produce Safety Rule FAQ's
Mike Basedow, Tree Fruit Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
On behalf of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, this article presents information on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule and answers frequently-asked questions from producers.
2017 Winter Tree Fruit School Presentations
Anna Wallis, Tree Fruit and Grape Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Presentations given at the 2017 Eastern NY Commercial Tree Fruit Schools are available by clicking on the following links.
More Food Safety Content
Apples
Apricots
Asparagus
Beets
Blueberries
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cherries
Cucumbers
Dry Beans
Eggplant
Ethnic Vegetables
Garlic
Grapes
Horseradish
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce / Leafy Greens
Melons
Nectarines
Onions
Parsnips
Peaches
Pears
Peas
Peppers
Plums
Potatoes
Pumpkins / Gourds
Radishes
Raspberries / Blackberries
Rhubarb
Rutabaga
Snap Beans
Squash - Summer
Squash- Winter
Strawberries
Sweet Corn
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Turnips
Upcoming Events
Last Monday Grant Webinar for Fruit and Vegetable Growers - May
May 27, 2019
12:00-1:00
To help disseminate information on grants on a more consistent basis, we will be offering a "current grants" webinar on the last Monday of every month at noonIn order to help focus the program, the webinars will be limited to grants that are relevant to fruit and vegetable farmers in Eastern New York.
There is a possibility of webinars related to grants for experimental crops (i.e. hops and hemp) if it is likely that fruit and vegetable growers would be interested.
Last Monday Grant Webinar for Fruit and Vegetable Growers - June
June 24, 2019
12:00-1:00
To help disseminate information on grants on a more consistent basis, we will be offering a "current grants" webinar on the last Monday of every month at noonIn order to help focus the program, the webinars will be limited to grants that are relevant to fruit and vegetable farmers in Eastern New York.
There is a possibility of webinars related to grants for experimental crops (i.e. hops and hemp) if it is likely that fruit and vegetable growers would be interested.