Rules to Reality: Practical Application of Produce Food Safety for Small to Midsize Virginia Farms

The FSMA Produce Safety Rule (PSR) has driven fundamental changes in the marketplace. While many small and midsize farms in Virginia are not fully covered by the PSR, heightened marketplace awareness of food safety concerns has increased market requirements for greater assurance of the safety of produce. As growers scale up to wholesale markets, it is vital to help them achieve FSMA compliance and meet market demands through hands-on training related to food safety risks, best practices, and tangibly implementing the PSR.Goal 1: Increase competitiveness and opportunity for small to midsize growers in the wholesale marketplaceObjectivesUtilize partnerships with institutional buyers to identify market-driven food safety requirements, education, and training needsAdapt existing market-driven food safety training resources to meet the identified needs of institutional buyers in Virginia.Goal 2: Ensure that growers adhere to the highest possible level of food safety and compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR).ObjectivesAdapt existing market-driven food safety training resources to ensure FSMA PSR complianceEnhance statewide comprehension of practical food safety knowledge through dissemination of resources to agricultural community organizations, buyers, and growers.Develop and administer a communication plan with the Southern Center, including an evaluative component with both qualitative and quantitative measures.