RICHMOND—Peace of mind in Virginia’s produce supply was a key takeaway of a recent food safety demonstration event.
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Virginia Tech and Virginia Farm Bureau Federation hosted a produce safety event Aug. 19-20 in Richmond and Westmoreland County—bringing together those organizations, produce growers, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials for fruitful conversations.
The event highlighted state-level programming and enforcement of the Produce Safety Rule, state utilization of federal program funds, and scheduled implementation of the latest agricultural water regulations under the rule.
The Produce Safety Rule established science-based minimum standards for the safe production of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption. Published in 2015, the rule is part of FDA’s ongoing efforts to implement the Food Safety Modernization Act passed in 2011.
VDACS received federal grant funding in 2016 to establish a Produce Safety Program. The regulatory program helps growers understand and comply with the Produce Safety Rule and state legislation.
During Tuesday’s lunch at the VFBF headquarters in West Creek, VDACS and Virginia Tech highlighted their joint efforts to uphold FSMA requirements, including offering educational and regulatory programs, technical assistance, and compliance information to produce growers and handlers.
VFBF representatives showcased the organization’s support of Virginia’s produce safety programs—helping distribute key information to statewide audiences in magazine articles, press releases and a training video developed in collaboration with VDACS.
“Farm Bureau believes produce safety is important for everyone from the farm to the table,” noted Tony Banks, VFBF senior assistant director of agriculture, development and innovation.
Attendees also heard the perspectives of Virginia farmers, who shared their support of the rule as well as the challenges it sometimes presents.
Participants also saw Virginia’s produce safety protocols in action while touring Greenswell Growers in Goochland County. CEO Carl Gupton discussed the greenhouse’s water treatment process for irrigating crops and cleaning harvest lines.
During Wednesday’s On-Farm Readiness Reviews at several produce farms in Westmoreland County, FDA Deputy of Commissioner for Human Foods Kyle Diamantas and directors observed University of Florida faculty conducting reviews of the farms’ agricultural water usage.
“Farmers want to provide safe food,” Banks explained. “We need to make sure the regulations are workable for farmers and provide assurance that the produce is safe.”
Mirroring Virginia’s collaborative approach to regulation, growers learned their systems’ strengths and opportunities for improvement in preparation for regulatory compliance reviews.
“Events like this meeting and readiness review allow farmers to learn what is required and specific practices they can implement on their farm to comply; and the agencies learn more about program implementation, challenges farmers face, as well as some of the creative and sound solutions farmers employ to practice food safety,” Banks said.
All Virginia farms that grow, harvest, pack or hold produce intended for human consumption and sale must register their business with the VDACS Produce Safety Program to receive relevant educational updates, technical assistance and compliance information. This also helps VDACS identify farms that are not covered by the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and streamline regulatory oversight.
VDACS is working to interpret updates to FSMA Agricultural Water requirements, which centers around assessing a farm’s whole agricultural water system. Large farms are being given a grace period until April 7, 2026, and other farms will likely be given a rolling grace period. Visit bit.ly/3ISRIJh for more information.
-Virginia Farm Bureau
