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Cold Season Harvest Vegetables

Safe Produce program mission is to provide science-based research knowledge in food safety and good agricultural practices to educate and assist people with standards for growing, harvesting, packing, and holding fruits and vegetables safe for human consumption.

We are professionals knowledgeable in horticulture, food science, environmental science, and microbiology that combine to provide produce safety education and expertise for the benefit of the communities, economies, and people of Iowa. 

Our program provides commercial farmers, home gardeners, and produce enthusiasts with education and technical assistance through in-class training, on-site technical assistance, and informative outreach programs to grow fruits and vegetables safe for human consumption.

Our educational programs focus on instruction in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) centered on the principles of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rule “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption” also known as “The Produce Safety Rule.” 

Events

Webinar: FSMA Produce Safety Rule Updates 

May 25 2023 @ 9:00 am - 10:30 am 

• Overview of who is covered by the FSMA Produce Safety Rule 

• Updates! Subpart E water related requirement updates. What you need to know about water testing, postharvest water use for washing and ways to reduce risk and keep your produce safe 

• Updates and highlights from inspections on farms 

No Cost but Registration Required - Registration closes May 24 2023 @ 5:00 pm

Webinar Zoom Link Registration  


Thank you 

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Safe Produce Program thanks all the fruit and vegetable growers and processors who recently participated in the Produce Safety Alliance Grower Trainings offered by our program.

We anticipate working with you to continue your produce safety education and encourage you to sign up for an On-farm Readiness Review (OFRR) or an on-site technical assistance visit through our email IowaFSMA@iastate.edu or call (515)294-2552.  

Features

Farm to School Produce Safety Survey 

USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FSN) survey results describing food safety concerns associated with fresh produce and farm to school activities. 


Creating a Workplace Food Safety Culture

Produce Processing Magazine article describing approaches to improving food safety culture in the food and produce industry. 


Iowa Farmers Market Workshop 2023

Safe Produce program would like to thank Iowa Farmers Market Association, the farmers and vendors for the opportunity to interact and share information at an amazing event supporting Iowa's farmers. Thank you. 

Safe Produce program sponsored table at Iowa Farmers Market Workshop on February 11th 2023 at Iowa State University Gateway Conference Center in Ames Iowa.