A new joint state initiative helps farmers in Maine and New Hampshire improve food safety on their farms. Called Jumpstart to Farm Food Safety with Extension, the project offers farmers the chance to work individually with an Extension educator, trained in produce safety.
Educators help farmers take important steps to address farm food safety concerns, including :
- starting, continuing or rejuvenating a farm food safety plan
- designing a safer and more efficient wash/pack area
- writing, reviewing or improving Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- training staff in health and hygiene
- drawing a farm or irrigation map
The planning process includes individualized farm risk analysis, followed by the development of a risk reduction plan of action specific to your needs.
Educators can assist remotely or visit a farm to assess food safety risks and advise on ways to decrease or eliminate them.
Contact UNH Extension Food Safety Extension Specialist Mary Saucier Choate, 603-787-6944 mary.choate@unh.edu, to answer your farm food safety questions.
This project is made possible by a three-year grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture - USDA to assist fruit and vegetable farmers in Maine and New Hampshire with farm food safety planning.
