Preparing for a third-party food safety audit can be challenging for produce growers, particularly when navigating audit requirements, understanding the audit scope, and determining which documentation and practices are required. To help growers better understand the process, Safe Produce Indiana, using the Purdue Student Farm as an example, has developed a four-part educational video series…Read more about Understanding the USDA Harmonized GAP Third-Party Audit: A Farmer’s Journey[Read More]
Food Safety
Originally published on July 24, 2024 Harvest season is easily one of the busiest and craziest times of the year. Crops are being harvested, packed, shipped, and sold against a backdrop of perishability, weather, and ever-changing markets. Harvest and postharvest handling are also critical times for food safety. Handling of the crop by workers, transporting…Read more about Food Safety Considerations for Postharvest Handling of Produce[Read More]
Cyclospora has been making headlines recently as a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis continues to grow. The illness, caused by the parasite Cyclospora, can lead to severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and body aches. You can read more about Cyclospora from the International Fresh Produce Association. Based on traceback information, investigators recently identified shredded iceberg lettuce…Read more about Cyclospora Resources for Consumers and Produce Growers[Read More]
The Land Connection received a grant to create a free, interactive tool that helps specialty crop farmers determine which food safety regulations and certifications apply to their farm and goals. It’s important that we build something that actually works for you, not just what we think you might need. That means hearing from real farmers…Read more about The Land Connections is Looking for Your Input[Read More]
Purdue Extension is hosting a Market Ready workshop on May 14 (9 am–2:30 pm) at the Shelby County Extension Office, 20 W. Polk St., Suite 201, Shelbyville. Market Ready is a nationally recognized program that helps local food and farm entrepreneurs enter wholesale market channels — including schools, restaurants, distributors, and grocery stores…Read more about Purdue Extension MarketReady Producer Training – May 14, Shelbyville[Read More]
Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training The Safe Produce Indiana team will host two Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Trainings in April and May. An in-person training will be held on Wednesday, April 8, at the Bartholomew County Extension Office in Columbus, IN. A remote training will be held on Thursday, May 7. The cost of attendance is…Read more about Upcoming Produce Food Safety Programming Offered by Safe Produce Indiana[Read More]
The Safe Produce Indiana team will host two Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Trainings in March. An in-person training will be held on Wednesday, March 11, at the Elkhart County Extension Office in Goshen, IN. A remote, Spanish-language training will be held on Thursday, March 12. The cost of attendance is $20 and includes a certificate of course completion,…Read more about Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training – March 11[Read More]
Keeping produce safe and meeting buyers’ and regulatory expectations starts with strong cleaning and sanitation practices. Farms that implement proper procedures not only protect public health but also improve efficiency and build trust with customers. To help growers and farm workers strengthen these skills, we invite you to join us on March 25th from 1:00 PM…Read more about Cleaning and Sanitation Workshop – March 25[Read More]
Keeping produce safe and meeting the expectations of buyers and regulators starts with strong cleaning and sanitation practices. Farms that implement proper procedures not only protect public health but also improve efficiency and build trust with customers. To help growers and farm workers strengthen these skills, we invite you to join us on December 9th…Read more about Still Time to Register for the Cleaning and Sanitation Workshop – December 9, 2025[Read More]
Keeping produce safe and meeting buyers’ and regulatory expectations starts with strong cleaning and sanitation practices. Farms that implement proper procedures not only protect public health but also improve efficiency and build trust with customers. To help growers and farm workers strengthen these skills, we invite you to join us on December 9th from 1:00…Read more about Cleaning and Sanitation Workshop – December 9[Read More]