By Dominique Giroux, Vermont Agency of Agriculture
Are you ready to grow produce safety on your farm? Whether it’s to help you get familiar with produce safety regulations, buyer requirements, or to ensure you’re following produce safety best practices, an On-Farm Readiness Review right for you!
What is an On-Farm Readiness Review?
An On-Farm Readiness Review (OFRR) is a free, educational assessment of a farm’s produce safety practices. This is an opportunity for you to have a one-on-one conversation and farm walk-around with Produce Safety Rule experts to evaluate pre-harvest, harvest, and post-harvest conditions and practices, assess what you are doing well, and identify areas for improvement in produce safety practices on your farm. It is scheduled when farm operations (such as washing, packing, and harvesting activities) are happening so reviewers can make accurate recommendations specific to your farm.
What farms are eligible for a Review?
Any farm that grows, packs, holds or sells produce is eligible to request an OFRR. Remember, an OFRR is for your benefit. Reviewers will work with you to understand potential risks on your farm and think about improvements together.
Who conducts the Review?
On-Farm Readiness Reviews are conducted jointly by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, & Markets Produce Program and the University of Vermont (UVM) Extension Produce Safety Team.
How is a Review different from an audit or inspection?
An OFRR is not a regulatory visit. The OFRR is for the farm’s benefit and will consist of on-farm observation to identify areas for produce safety improvements to help grow produce safety on the farm. Growers find that produce safety improvements can also lead to improvements in efficiency, employee satisfaction, product quality, and market access opportunities.
What topics are covered during the Review?
Reviewers will discuss the following areas and will work with you to identify potential produce safety risks:
- Agricultural Water
- Worker Training
- Health and Hygiene
- Soil Amendments
- Wild and Domesticated Animals
- Growing, Harvesting, Packing and Holding Activities
- Equipment, Tools, & Buildings Sanitation
- Records
What should I do to prepare for an OFRR?
Review your farm’s food safety plan if you have one and write down any questions or concerns you have related to produce safety practices or efficiencies on your farm. Additionally, we recommend that at least one person from your farm complete the Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training Course1. This training will provide you with essential background knowledge about the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule2 and recommended produce safety practices that will help you to get the most out of the OFRR.
Where should I go for more information?
To request an On-Farm Readiness Review contact the Vermont Produce Program at AGR.FSMA@vermont.gov or call (802) 461-5128. Visit agriculture.vermont.gov/produceprogram for additional information and resources.
1 The PSA Grower Training Course satisfies the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement for farms covered under the rule that “at least one supervisor or responsible party” completes “food safety training … recognized as adequate” by FDA (21 C.F.R. §112.22(c)). View and register for trainings at:
https://producesafetyalliance.cornell.edu/training/grower-training-courses/
2If you are a Vermont produce farm and need assistance in determining whether your farm is subject to the FSMA Produce Safety Rule, contact the Vermont Produce Program.