March 5, 2021

Covid Update From Secretary of Agriculture

March 5, 2021

 

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

Dear Farm Owner/Operator:

On March 1, 2021 Governor Murphy announced that farmworkers will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine starting March 15, 2021.

We understand that the ag community is anxious to have everyone on their farm vaccinated as soon as possible, especially since some of you already have workers in the field.

Here is how the vaccination program will roll out over the next week:

  • The Department of Health (DOH) will send out a vaccine Q&A.
  • A brief survey will be included in that email that will help them with supply and delivery planning. Survey questions will include:
  • Business location
  • Contact person for scheduling vaccinations
  • Number of workers to be vaccinated
  • Logistic considerations

 

Once you receive the survey, please fill it out and return it as directed to the DOH.

A Health official will follow up with your contact person to schedule vaccinations either on your farm or at a standing location.

 

Sincerely,

Douglas H. Fisher

Secretary

 

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Field, Forage & Livestock, Food Safety, Fruit, Landscape, Nursery, & Turf, Vegetable Crops
February 26, 2021

Free Food Safety Webinar Series

The Rutgers On-Farm Food Safety Team will be presenting three free webinars in March from 12:00 pm to 1:00pm.  These will cover issues related to audits and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) – Produce Safety Rule.  On March 12 we will have an “Introduction to FSMA and Audits” discussing the difference between them, if a grower needs to comply with either and what is involved.  March 19 “Backflow Prevention in the Field and Packinghouse”, types of different devices, how to maintain them and where to place them.  March 26 “On-Farm Record Keeping” for FSMA and audits including the type of records required, what needs to be on the records and now long to maintain them.  To sign up for these free webinars go to RutgersOnFarmFoodSafety.Eventbrite.com.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Food Safety, Fruit, Organic Production, Vegetable Crops
February 24, 2021

Food Safety for Blueberry Growers Virtual Program March 16, 2021

To register for the program, go to rutgersonfarmfoodsafety.eventbrite.com.  The closing date to register is Tuesday, March 2nd

10:00-10:30             Microbial Life and Biofilms

10:30-11:00             FSMA PSR Inspection Update

11:05-11:50             Building a One-Way Street: Backflow Prevention

11:50-12:15             Cleaning and Disinfection- What have we learned from Covid-19?

 

 

Filed Under: Blueberry, Commercial Ag Updates
February 24, 2021

Harmonized Audit Training

With a new Harmonized Audit taking affect May 1 this is your last chance to hear about the changes.  The training from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm will cover each question in the Audit and discuss the changes.  Closing date for the March 2nd training is Friday, February 26th.  Go the RutgersOnFarmFoodSafety.Eventbrite.com to register.  After the closing date each participant will receive login information.

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Food Safety, Fruit, Vegetable Crops
February 19, 2021

New Harmonized and Harmonized Audit Standards

There is a new Harmonized and Harmonized Plus Audits dated February 8, 2021.  They are available at https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/auditing/gap-ghp/harmonized.  You can download the ‘Produce GAPs Harmonized Food Safety Standard”, the “Produce GAPs Harmonized Food Safety Standard USDA Checklist.”, “Produce GAPs Harmonized Plus Food Safety Standard” and  The Produce GAPs Harmonized Plus Food Safety Standard USDA Checklist”.  USDA has also posted a summary of changes to compare the present standard with the new version.  The new standards will go into effect May 1, 2021.

 

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Food Safety, Fruit, Vegetable Crops
February 3, 2021

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Harmonized Food Safety Audit Training

We are offering a final, for this spring, online Harmonized Audit Training Course on March 2, 2021 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM.  If you will need to obtain a USDA Harmonized Audit this year or want a refresher this is the course for you.

This three-hour virtual class will cover each question on the USDA Harmonized Audit allowing participants to hear how questions are interpreted by auditors.  New Jersey Department of Agriculture Auditors will also discuss how someone signs up for an audit and review common issues that auditors found during 2020.  Participants will have the opportunity have their questions answered to help make their audit run more smoothly.

The deadline to register for the class is Friday February 26. The registration form is on the Eventbrite page at rutgersonfarmfoodsafety.eventbrite.com

Filed Under: Commercial Ag Updates, Food Safety, Fruit, Organic Production, Vegetable Crops