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October 14, 2024
Dear PSA Newsletter Subscribers,
Welcome Fall! We are excited to share our most recent newsletter which includes dates for upcoming training opportunities, personal updates from PSA team members, upcoming webinars, an opportunity to provide feedback, and some insights into what the PSA team has been working on the past 2 months. The PSA also wants to take a moment to send our heartfelt wishes to anyone who has been affected by the recent catastrophic storms. We know for many of our partners, the road to getting back to normal is just underway and we are thinking of all of you.
-The PSA Team
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Bia Alvarez
We would like to introduce everyone to the newest member of the PSA family, Bia Alvarez. Bia supports the communication needs for the Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) team. Bia has expertise in graphic design, layout design, website design, communications, and digital marketing. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Rochester Institute of Technology. Prior to joining the PSA in August 2024, Bia founded and led Tryz Studio, a design studio specializing in custom branding and website design to help small entrepreneurs build visually compelling brands with a strong digital presence. If you have not seen them already, make sure to check out some of the fantastic posts Bia has published on our social media platforms.
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Since our last newsletter, the PSA team has had the opportunity to collaborate and offer two different in-person Train-the-Trainer Courses. | |
In August, our new Produce Safety Fellows completed an immersive 3-day experience that included the PSA Train-the-Trainer Course and a full-day, hands-on, experiential learning across several scientific disciplines. The Produce Safety Fellows’ Program, a collaborative effort between the Produce Safety Alliance and Local Food Safety Collaborative, was created to create a ripple effect of knowledge and expertise across the country’s agricultural community. Beyond the training, these 18 participants have started to build lasting connections with peers from around the country, expanding their professional networks. Congratulations to these new PSA Trainers! | | | |
In September, the PSA was pleased to welcome new PSA Trainers from a PSA Train-the-Trainer Course held September 3-5, in Denver, Colorado. Thank you to the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI), who helped facilitate this training attended by staff from the IFAI, the Intertribal Agriculture Council, and two state departments of agriculture. By adding more PSA Trainers and supporting the development of PSA Lead Trainers across Indian Country, Tribes, Tribal producers, and staff will have greater opportunities to receive free training and implement the best practices taught, helping improve food safety for Tribal citizens and customers. | | | |
Congratulations again to all of the new trainers, we look forward to continuing to collaborate with each of you! | |
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International PSA Grower Training:
PSA collaborated with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and China’s Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Association (CIQA) to host a PSA Grower Training Course to 28 participants from different regions of China. Course attendees included produce growers, exporters, and other industry members. Simultaneous translation was used to deliver the course over three days (September 9-11), allowing plenty of time for questions and discussion.
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Upcoming Online PSA Grower Training Courses | |
Welcome Back Laurie George!
Dr. Laurie George, PSA Midwest Regional Extension Associate, is now back full-time with the PSA! The PSA team could not be happier that Laurie has recovered well and is back in action. Laurie has already participated in remote training courses, led an online course, and supported other efforts since returning to work.
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Produce Industry Virtual Office Hours
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
12:00 to 1:00 pm Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Join us for an overview of FSMA PSR Revised Subpart E: Agricultural Water led by the Produce Safety Alliance, Dept. of Food Science, Cornell University; followed by a moderated Q&A session with a panel of experts in the field.
Panel of Experts:
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Dr. Don Stoeckel, Special Project Extension Associate, Produce Safety Alliance, Cornell Agritech (Moderator)
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Dr. Elizabeth A. Bihn, Produce Safety Alliance Director, Cornell AgriTech
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Dr. Connie Fisk, Produce Safety Program Manager, Washington State Department of Agriculture
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Karin Reeves, Co-owner of Reeves Farms, NY
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Dr. Channah Rock, Professor & Water Quality Specialist, Jim Brennan Endowed Chair in Extension Fresh Produce Safety, University of AZ
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Steve Schirmer, Produce Safety Field Administrator, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
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Dr. Aljosa Trmcic, Senior Extension Associate, Department of Food Science, Cornell University
Produce Industry Virtual Office Hours are hosted in collaboration with the Produce Safety Alliance, the New York Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence, and the IFS@CU.
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Join the CONTACT team in their upcoming webinar to engage in all things biological soil amendments of animal origin. Biological soil amendments of animal origin (BSAAO), like livestock manure, compost, and heat-treated amendments, are frequently used as organic fertilizers to improve soil's physical and chemical properties and nutrient content. BSAAOs are also a known reservoir for enteric bacterial pathogens like enterohemorrhagic E. coli and Salmonella. Numerous mechanisms (splash, direct contact with soil, and dust) transfer pathogens to fruits and vegetables, and foodborne outbreaks have been linked to manure-associated contamination of leafy greens with E. coli O157:H7. Soils amended with BSAAOs supply nutrients that enteric pathogens may utilize directly or indirectly to survive for extended durations. Past studies illustrate that amended soils extend the survival of non-pathogenic E. coli compared to unamended soils. It has also been shown that regionality (climate, soil type, method of BSAAO application practices) dramatically influences the survival of pathogens in the soil. Our three speakers will describe CONTACT's BSAAO research and practical implications for best practices on-farm. Be sure to stick around for the live-only Q&A!
Date & Time: October 30, 2024 at 03:30 PM to 05:00 PM in Eastern Time
Title: Research to Reality – Biological Soil Amendments
Topics and Speakers:
- Dr. Laurel Dunn – FSMA Produce Safety Rule, BSAAO’s & Industry Engagement
- Dr. Keith Schneider – Factors Affecting Enteric Pathogen Survival in BSAAO – Amended Soils
- Dr. Manan Sharma – Treated BSAAO’s in Leafy Greens
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An Opportunity to Provide Feedback | |
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The Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA is leading a stakeholder dialogue process to explore new strategies for produce safety and the development of a collaborative public-private partnership (PPP). Ensuring the safety of fruits and vegetables requires a holistic approach. To aid in the goal of improved protection of public health and establishing a PPP, the Foundation is collaborating with stakeholders from agricultural communities, industry, academia, and government to develop a shared understanding of the challenges and a vision for protecting public health. The Foundation has engaged a group of key stakeholders to guide the 6-month effort, and is contracting with Food Safety Strategy’s Dr. Jennifer McEntire and Ms. Gretchen Wall to support the initiative.
Landing page: https://reaganudall.org/produce-safety-stakeholder-dialogue
They want to hear from all stakeholders, including you! What are the priority areas? What’s held back progress? Are there topical areas where you’re willing to invest more time (e.g., education & training, policy & economics, research, buyer specifications, imports, etc.). The Foundation is soliciting perspectives, interest, and volunteers via the short questionnaire linked below. The questionnaire will remain open through November 1 and responses by this date will help guide next steps.
Based on the input and willingness of stakeholders to engage (as indicated through the questionnaire and other outreach), the Foundation will hold several working sessions to refine priorities and articulate positions of various key stakeholders and their constituents. This project is anticipated to culminate in a meeting in February/March 2025 to discuss a priority roadmap for produce safety. A report will be issued after the meeting to guide FDA and others in understanding perspectives on produce safety and a pathway to create the proposed partnership.
Deadline: November 1
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