This episode features Marissa Schuh, a vegetable production educator with MSU Extension, and Mike Snarski, manager of Summit Laboratory out of Grand Rapids, MI. They clarify what exactly is required by the Food Safety Modernization Act in terms of water testing, and they discuss how growers can communicate with a lab in order to get what they need. For help finding a water testing lab in your area, visit: https://www.canr.msu.edu/agrifood_safety/produce-safety-education/water For a demonstration on how to take a water sample, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvjPyKKt66k& ..read more

The FSMA Produce Safety Rule requires that growers take a standardized food safety training recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Sara Runkel, a Local Produce Safety Coordinator with Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, and Steve Warshawer, Enterprise Development Manager with the La Montañita Food Co-op, are part of a team that is developing an equivalent training program to the Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training that is accepted by the FDA. In this episode, Phil Tocco, Produce Safety Educator with Michigan State University Extension, talks with Sara an ..read more

Produce Safety Technicians Landen Tetil and Micah Hutchison swap produce safety "horror stories" from the field and share solutions to these frightful food safety situations. Additional Resources: Hand Sanitizer vs. Hand Soap (Nutella video) Contact a Michigan Produce Safety Technician Funding for this podcast was made possible in part by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in the posted materials do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practic ..read more

Converting a washing machine into a greens spinner can be a cost-effective and efficient option for farms to spin their dry leafy greens, but what are the food safety risks that come with it? Amanda Kinchla, Extension Professor of Food Science at the University of Massachusetts, was a part of a research team that studied the microbial contamination risks of washing machine greens spinners and how it compared to commercially available units. In this episode, Micah Hutchison, a Produce Safety Technician, sits down with Amanda to learn more about her research, discuss the findings, and talk throu ..read more

In this episode, Produce Safety Technicians Morgan Anderson and Allissa Conley sit down with Katie Brandt, leader of the Michigan State University Organic Farmer Training Program. They give helpful advice for beginning farmers, talk through some of the challenges beginning farmers may face when first getting started, and discuss where to begin when it comes to food safety on the farm. Additional Resources: Organic Farmer Training Program Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety website Funding for this podcast was made possible in part by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. Th ..read more

In this episode, Produce Safety Technician Micah Hutchison interviews Clarence Price with Pingree Farms in Detroit. Clarence discusses what the farm has to offer, the links Pingree Farms has with the history of agriculture in Detroit, and the benefits of urban farming and urban market gardening. Funding for this podcast was made possible in part by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in the posted materials do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does any mention of trade names, commercial ..read more

Participating in a Produce Safety Risk Assessment (PSRA) is a great way to demonstrate your commitment to selling safe produce. In this episode, you'll hear from Produce Safety Technicians Micah Hutchison and Morgan Anderson, as well as Simon Yevzelman, leader of food safety and compliance at Planted Detroit, and Elizabeth Visser, manager at Blandford Nature Center in Grand Rapids. Simon and Elizabeth share their experiences participating in a PSRA and discuss how it's been helpful when it comes to marketing their farm.  Funding for this podcast was made possible in part by the Food and D ..read more

This episode features Phil Tocco, MSU Extension Produce Safety Educator, and Morgan Anderson, Michigan Conservation District Produce Safety Technician. They discuss the importance of maintaining a regular cleaning and sanitizing schedule, and provide guidance on what to pay attention to when conducting a deep clean before the season starts. Funding for this podcast was made possible in part by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in the posted materials do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor ..read more

Considering how you store and organize tools is essential for food safety on the farm. In this episode, Produce Safety Technicians Micah Hutchison and Morgan Anderson discuss best practices for tool storage in order to reduce cross contamination risks.  Funding for this podcast was made possible in part by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in the posted materials do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices or organization imply endorse ..read more

Phil Tocco, Emily Hollingsworth, and Morgan Anderson, members of the Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety team, recently met up at the Northwest Orchard and Vineyard Show to discuss what growers need to know about the Agricultural Water Rule. In this episode, they provide an overview of the Ag Water Rule, and discuss what is currently known and unknown about the proposed rule.  Funding for this podcast was made possible in part by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in the posted materials do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Depart ..read more