Visitor Food Safety Policies for a Successful Pick-Your-Own Season
Elisabeth Hodgdon, Vegetable Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
With pick-your-own (PYO) apple season upon us, customers are eager to get outdoors and enjoy the fall season and orchard scenery. Welcoming visitors to the orchard requires many advanced preparations to ensure a positive experience for both customers and employees. Food safety considerations should be included in these preparations as well. In this article, I review visitor requirements for farms covered by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, as well as best management practices to reduce microbial contamination in PYO orchards.
Visitor Food Safety Policies for a Successful Pick-Your-Own Season (pdf; 277KB)
Upcoming Events
What is my vine trying to tell me?
May 15, 2024 : What is my vine trying to tell me?
Plattsburgh, NY
Are your grapevines showing signs of discoloration or stunted growth? Don't ignore these warning signs! Join us on May 15th at the Clinton County CCE office to learn about the essential nutrients that grapevines require to thrive, identify the symptoms of nutrient deficiencies, and how to fix them. Don't miss out on this opportunity to improve your grapevine cultivation skills! Attendance is free, but registration is required.
How man's best friend can help find Spotted Lanternfly
May 21, 2024
Millbrook, NY
Come and join us at the Dutchess County CCE office on May 21st for a special demonstration by Jennifer Fimbel, the Agriculture and Horticulture Program Leader with Dutchess County CCE. You will get to see her SLF K9 Cole in action as they demonstrate how man's best friend can be used to detect the Spotted Lanternfly. Attendance is free, but registration is required
What is my vine trying to tell me?
May 22, 2024 : What is my vine trying to tell me?
Greenwich, NY
Are your grapevines showing signs of discoloration or stunted growth? Don't ignore these warning signs! Join us on May 22nd at the Washington County Fair Grounds to learn about the essential nutrients that grapevines require to thrive, identify the symptoms of nutrient deficiencies, and how to fix them. Don't miss out on this opportunity to improve your grapevine cultivation skills! Attendance is free, but registration is required.