Produce Safety
Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety
The Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety Program is designed to offer assistance and recognition to fresh fruit and vegetable growers that implement risk management practices for produce safety.
This program supports producers of all sizes and commodities, providing them with best management practices, technical support, and an honorable community of like-minded growers committed to providing safe, clean, and healthy food to our community.
Why is Produce Safety Important?
The Program is a collection of service providers and resources to prepare Michigan farmers who grow fresh fruits and vegetables for compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule.
Produce Safety Technicians work with growers to navigate produce safety standards and tailor solutions based on the needs of their operation.
Our Produce Safety Technician services 13 counties and is available to all produce growers in Michigan regardless of farm size. They can help you make improvements to your farm that directly benefit the quality of the produce you grow.
Technicians can also recommend cost-share opportunities and connect you with our partners and industry professionals tailored to your objectives.
Michigan is the only state with a Produce Safety Technician Program dedicated to providing on-farm technical assistance for fresh produce farmers!
The Process
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1. Site Visit
Invite our Produce Safety Technician to tour your farm with you. Our technician will walk and talk with you to review your processes, priorities, and any current food safety plans. The tech will review the program with you and develop an Action Plan to help achieve your goals. Everything our technician learns about your farm will remain confidential: nothing will be shared with your competition or environmental regulators.
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2. Implement
Once your Action Plan is created, work at your own pace to implement your plan. Our technician is here to help you every step of the way, for as long as it takes you to achieve your goals. They can also recommend cost-share opportunities and connect you with our partners and industry professionals tailored to your specific objectives.
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3. Certification
Once your hard work is completed, our technician will assist you in submitting your request for Certification. Once your assessment is approved by an MDARD Produce Safety Specialist, you will receive a signed certificate from MDARD and OLCD, and the opportunity to utilize the Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety logo on merchandise and points of sale to showcase the hard work you implemented to care for the health and safety of your community.
Working with our Produce Safety Technician is free, voluntary, and confidential.
Their guidance and support can provide you with peace of mind about your operations and ultimately give you and your customers confidence in your product.
Schedule your Site Visit Today!
Connect with our
Produce Safety Technician:
Allissa Conley
