In this episode, Produce Safety Technicians Micah Hutchison and Landen Tetil discuss how to reduce food safety risks when it comes to growing mushrooms. They also talk through regulations that growers should be aware of when processing mushrooms.  Additional Resources: Food-Safe Fungi: Produce Safety Resources for Mushroom Growers Video: "Power Washing Only Spreads the Evidence ..read more

This episode features Faith Critzer, Associate Professor at the University of Georgia studying fresh produce in the realm of food safety, and Phil Tocco, On-Farm Produce Safety Educator at MSU Extension. They talk about all of the surfaces apples touch from the time they are picked off the tree until they get to the grocery store and how to keep these surfaces clean ..read more

Happy New Year! In this episode, Produce Safety Technicians Morgan Anderson and Allissa Conley talk about produce safety resolutions you can implement in the new year.  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 endorsement by the United States Government ..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

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

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 has been helpful when it comes to marketing their farm.  Funding for this podcast was made possible in part by the Food and ..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

In this episode, Landen Tetil and Eli Hopp talk about the Upper Peninsula Food Exchange (UPFE), which is a food hub that supports local food systems in the Upper Peninsula. They specifically discuss what UPFE's food safety policies are for produce vendors and how Michigan Produce Safety Technicians can help farmers meet these expectations.  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 ..read more