SETH URBANOWITZ & CAROL BISHOP

PRODUCE SAFETY: LESSONS FROM NEVADA

BACKGROUND ON NEVADA: WE GROW MORE THAN ALIENS

> New Jersey

FORCES OF CHANGE

• The feds are coming!

• Consumer concern

• Certification nation: the assurance matrix• Market access

• Increased interest in local foods

MEETING THE NEEDS

• Minimal programming occurring historically

• Conducted on-farm food safety trainings, Las Vegas / Reno 2013-2014• Small to medium sized farms• Direct marketing• GAPs• FSMA

• Curriculum and fact sheets

• Technical assistance• Is it right for me? • Buyer requirements • What should I do?• Plan development

SUCCESSES

• Over 100 participants• Farmers, public health

professionals and agricultural professionals

• Partnerships• health departments, NV

Dept. of Ag., and farmers

• Transfer of knowledge

• Grant-seeking

Understanding of:

Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)Risk management in the context of food safetyFood safety regulatory aspects as it relates to fresh produceWorker health and hygiene practicesAgricultural water use practicesSoil amendments, manure and composting practicesHow to reduce the risk that wildlife and animals pose to on-farm food safetyThe process of sanitizing tools and equipment

Recordkeeping and traceability methodsFood safety practices for direct marketing (CSA’s, agritourism, farmers’ markets)Good Handling Practices (GHPs)How to complete a food safety planThe relationship between produce quality and food safety

FACILITATING RISK MITIGATION

CORRELATED PROGRAMMING

• Step from knowledge to action

• Perceived roadblocks to GAP certification

• Mock Audit workshops• 17 adult• 43 hs youth

• Food Safety Plan workshops

• Currently few certified

• Cost share until July 30, 2015

WHAT’S NEEDED

• Longitudinal data on changes of practices and market access

• Costs• Communicate and advise on cost-effective approaches• Is it worth it?

• Focused and partnered programming• Wildlife, composting, water, record keeping

MESSAGES THAT WORK

• Producer acceptance is not high• “I’m a farmer, I walk

from chicken coop to field”

• “Animals are a part of farms, they can’t be excluded”

• “Shouldn’t the consumer be told to wash – seems to be a burden on farmers”

• Function of size, place, familiarity, other factors

• All farmers want to:• Produce safe food• “Unsafe food has

consequences”• Limit lost produce• Relationship

between IPM , produce quality and safety

• Sell produce• Market access

TAKEAWAY

• Interest is high, not necessarily so with certification

• Important source of information to health professionals and farmers

• Inclusive programming meets varied needs best

• No large differences in attendees, knowledge gains or overall rating associated with program length (1,2,3 –day trainings)