The local food trend continues to spread, with U.S. consumers increasingly wanting to know exactly where their food comes from, but new data from Auburn University shows food safety issues at “small” and “very small” farms.
“Small and very small facilities do not have as many resources, and, while there
Continue Reading Auburn researchers find food safety gaps at ‘local’ farms
With industry reporting that sales of “local foods” more than doubled from 2008 to 2014, concerns about public safety also increased, spurring the U.S. Department of Agriculture to offer almost $5 million in new food safety grants. 
The money is to help smaller operations comply with new food safety guidelines
Continue Reading More local food, more food safety risk, more federal grants
There’s a revolution going on in a grocery store near you. Fueled by consumer demand, it has been dubbed the “fresh revolution” by industry heavyweights such as the United Fresh Produce Association. It’s all about fresh produce — fruits and vegetables that nutritionists are praising as “healthy foods” and that
Continue Reading Small plus local doesn’t equal a free pass on food safety
Food and farm advocates seem to agree that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is somewhat limited in what it can do for small farmers and producers as it implements the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). When Congress passed FSMA in 2011, it gave FDA a statutory mandate, as
Continue Reading FSMA's Small Farm Exemption Has Its Limits
“Coming down like a ton of bricks.” “Complicated and interwoven.” “Costly.” “The end of many small- and mid-size farms and food processors.” “Never heard of it.” “A work in progress.” When asked about FDA’s new proposed rule for food processing facilities, that’s how a sustainable-agriculture advocate, a food-safety expert for
Continue Reading Proposed Rule for Food Processors Alarms Some, Confuses Many
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday stepped up its outreach to small- and medium-sized growers by launching more resources to help explain the sweeping new food safety rules. The move comes after several news outlets ran stories highlighting farmers’ concerns about the costs of the regulations, which
Continue Reading FDA Expands Outreach to Farmers Concerned About FSMA Rules
Kathleen Merrigan, who recently left her role as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said this week she is concerned about the negative impact the Food Safety Modernization Act could have on small- and medium-sized farms. According to a report by AgriPulse, Merrigan made the
Continue Reading Merrigan Expresses Worry About FSMA's Impact on Agriculture
As part of its “Bridging the Gaps” program, the Washington State Department of Agriculture launched a new video in its effort to help small and diversified growers meet Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
The video, which was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Specialty Block Grant, features a group
Continue Reading Washington Videos Help Small Farmers With Food Safety
Russell Libby and Brian Snyder walked out of the Rayburn House Office Building on a brilliant spring day in April 2009 shaking their heads.
The two were on Capitol Hill representing the interests of small farms as Congress drafted legislation to revamp the food safety system. Congressional staffers had just
Continue Reading Powerful Coalition Gains Exemption for Small Farmers
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) announced Monday she will introduce a bill that would “significantly change the nation’s food policy” by supporting local and regional farmers.
The package of reforms and new programs, dubbed The Local Farm, Food, and Jobs Act, would encourage the production of local food by helping farmers
Continue Reading Maine Congresswoman Unveils Bill to Support Small Farms
