Produce Safety
Produce Safety Rule
The Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 passed the first ever federal law on produce safety in 2015 - the Produce Safety Rule! The science-based rule provides guidelines to fresh produce growers to prevent foodborne illnesses. Before the Produce Safety Rule (PSR), voluntary programs, such as Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), provided guidelines for produce growers to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses. Now, food safety is NO LONGER OPTIONAL - something we will all benefit from.
Produce Safety Technicians
The state of Michigan is preparing its farmers for upcoming Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule inspections, beginning in January of 2019. Grant funding from the Michigan Department of Rural and Agricultural Development (MDARD) allows the hire of up to six Produce Safety Technicians throughout the Mitten State, including one in the Upper Peninsula. The technicians, hired by local county conservation districts, serve to educate and assist farmers in understanding and complying to the Produce Safety Rule (PSR). Inspections for the compliance of the PSR will begin with the largest Michigan farms by Produce Safety Inspectors, and trickle down to smaller farms.
With the help of a Produce Safety Technician, a farm can:
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Determine whether it is covered or exempt under the PSR.
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Identify areas of risk through completions of a risk assessment.
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Consider solutions to non-compliant farm activities and possible risk reductions for agricultural practices before, during, and after harvesting of fresh fruits and vegetables.
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Perform an on-farm readiness review to gauge progress to PSR compliance.
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Complete a written food safety plan.
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Receive technical support or referrals for technical support in the farm’s region.
Farmers may choose to utilize the technicians as much or as little as they see fit; the services of a Produce Safety Technician are completely confidential, voluntary, and free to farmers. It is also important to note that the role of technicians is educational; it is not equal to the regulatory role of the inspectors. Find an informational brochure here.
Meet Your Local Technician
Calli is a lifelong Yooper with a love for agriculture and is excited to serve the Upper Peninsula farmers. Her career includes a background in veterinary medicine and a B.S. in Biology, concentrating in Botany from NMU. She is available to help farmers and vegetable growers in all 15 counties of the Upper Peninsula with their produce safety needs. Technicians provide free education and assistance on the implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule through on-farm visits, consultations, Produce Safety Risk Assessment certificates, and On-Farm Readiness Reviews. Call or email to set up a free site visit or consult! Calli’s primary service area includes: Iron, Baraga, Dickinson, Delta, Marquette, Alger, Menominee, and Schoolcraft counties, but will assist any farmer in the Upper Peninsula, as needed. Here is a map to find your local produce safety technician.
Calli Tomasoski, Produce Safety Technician
Marquette County Conservation District
780 Commerce Drive, Suite C
Marquette, MI 49855
(906) 251-3061
producesafetymqt@macd.org
