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Produce Safety Resources

The resource headings which reference a "Subpart" related to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule . Even if your farm is not covered under the Produce Safety Rule, you will still find these resources useful to grow produce safety, increase efficiency, and improve work flow on your farm.

Resources by Produce Safety Rule Subpart

Worker Training (Subpart C)

Health and Hygiene (Subpart D)

Agricultural Water (Subpart E)

Biological Soil Amendments of Animal Origin (Subpart F)

Domesticated and Wild Animals (Subpart I)

Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding Activities (Subpart K)

Equipment, Tools, Buildings, and Sanitation (Subpart L)

Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule requires that "at least one supervisor or responsible party" from every farm covered under the rule "complete food safety training recognized as adequate by the FDA (21 C.F.R. §112.22(c)). The Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training Course satisfies this requirement. Find upcoming Grower Trainings.

Is your farm exempt from the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule?

Enroll in the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets' Vermont Produce Portal today!

We encourage all Vermont farms that grow, harvest, pack, or hold produce to enroll in the Vermont Produce Portal. After enrolling, Produce Program staff will help you determine whether your farm is covered under the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and understand your farm's requirements. You will also be able to access the following resources:

  1. The opportunity to request an On-Farm Readiness Review
  2. Early registration for Produce Safety Alliance Grower Trainings in Vermont
  3. Eligibility for Vermont Produce Safety Improvement Grants to help pay for on-farm improvements
  4. Policy and updates on produce safety requirements and resources

You may also use the resources below to help determine whether your farm is subject to the Produce Safety Rule:

University of Vermont Produce Safety Portal  

If you are a vegetable producer, retailer, distributor, service provider, or regulator, you will find information on the Produce Safety Portal to help you better understand produce safety issues. The University of Vermont Produce Safety Portal is a one-stop site for you to access essential information as well as contribute to a curated repository of produce safety and related resources.

By searching the Portal, you can identify useful materials and follow links directly to the sources of that information. The resources in the Portal (e.g. fact sheets, case studies, photos, and much more) have been contributed by many people in the farming community in Vermont and beyond. Resources can be added by approved account members and are reviewed by site moderators.

Pack Shed Design & Construction Videos

Check out these videos produced by UVM’s Center for Sustainable Agriculture on pack shed design and construction. They star Vermont farmers and offer tips for operations of all sizes and styles. The Vermont Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and USDA Risk Management Agency provided funding for this project.

Additional Resources at UVM Extension

Regional & National Resources

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

The Vermont Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops including fruits and vegetables, honey, maple, hops, Christmas trees and nursery crops.

VVBGA Community Accreditation for Produce Safety (CAPS)

Community Accreditation for Produce Safety (CAPS) is a program of the Vermont Vegetable and Berry Growers Association (VVBGA) in cooperation with UVM Extension and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture. CAPS is a voluntary, practical approach to documenting the use of practices that reduce food safety risks on farms that grow fresh produce. CAPS is a food safety market access program that can be used in lieu of GAP for participating retailers.

Partners

Agency staff also work closely with the Center for Sustainable AgricultureUniversity of Vermont Extensionthe Vermont Vegetable and Berry Growers Association (VVBGA), and the Vermont Department of Health, among other state partners, on produce safety issues and FSMA implementation.