Did your specialty crop operation recently incur on-farm food safety program expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification in calendar years 2022 or 2023? You may be eligible for financial assistance through USDA’s Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program (FSCSC).

USDA’s Farm Service Agency will accept FSCSC applications for calendar year 2022 from June 27, 2022, through January 31, 2023. The application period for calendar year 2023 runs from February 1, 2023, through January 31, 2024.

How the Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program Works

The FSCSC program provides financial assistance for specialty crop operations that incur eligible on-farm food safety program expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification in calendar years 2022 or 2023. This program helps offset costs to comply with regulatory requirements and market-driven food safety certification requirements.

For each year, FSCSC will cover a percentage of the specialty crop operation’s cost of obtaining or renewing their certification, as well as a percentage of their related expenses.

Program Eligibility

Eligibility requirements for FSCSC applicants are outlined below. We recommend you review these requirements before initiating your FSCSC application.

To be eligible for FSCSC, an applicant must:

• Have obtained or renewed a:
  • 2022 food safety certification that was issued between June 21, 2022 and December 31, 2022; or
  • 2023 food safety certification issued during the 2023 calendar year, and 
• Have paid eligible expenses. Expenses that have been incurred by the applicant, but have not yet been paid, will not be eligible.
• Be a specialty crop operation; and meet the definition of a small business or very small business.
  • A small business means an applicant that had an average annual monetary value of specialty crops the applicant sold during the 3-year period preceding the program year of more than $250,000 but not more than $500,000.
  • A very small business means an applicant that had an average annual monetary value of specialty crops the applicant sold during the 3-year period preceding the program year of no more than $250,000.
• Be located in the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Ineligible expenses include infrastructure improvements, equipment, supplies, salaries and benefits, and fees or penalties for late payment.

Eligible Expenses

Specialty crop operations that obtain food safety certification through a group model under a food safety management system are eligible to apply for assistance for their share of eligible expenses paid by the group, in addition to any eligible expenses they incur individually. If requested by the Fam Service Agency, specialty crop operations certified as part of a group under a food safety management system must provide documentation of the applicant’s portion of the group’s expenses from the entity responsible for maintaining the group’s certification.

FSCSC payments are calculated separately for each category of eligible costs based on the percentages and maximum payment amounts as described in the sections above. Applicants must report any previous cost share assistance received for the expenses included on their application.

The Farm Service Agency will issue payments for program year 2022 following approval of the application. For program year 2023, payments will be issued after the end of the application period. USDA may prorate 2023 final payments if calculated payments exceed the amount of available funding.

Apply for the Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crop Program

The FSCSC application period for calendar year 2022 will be June 27, 2022, through January 31, 2023. The application period for calendar year 2023 runs from February 1, 2023, through January 31, 2024.

Eligible specialty crop operations can apply for FSCSC by working directly with the Farm Service Agency office at their local USDA Service Center. Applications will be accepted via mail, fax, hand delivery, or electronic means.

Alternatively, producers with an eAuthentication account may apply for FSCSC via our FSCSC Application Portal. Applications will be completed, electronically signed, and submitted directly to your local USDA Service Center through this online system. Please reference our FSCSC Application Portal User Guide for additional information, including step-by-step application instructions. Producers interested in creating an eAuthentication account should visit farmers.gov/sign-in to learn more.

The following forms are needed to apply for FSCSC:

• FSA-888, Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) Program Application: This form includes a certification of the applicant’s status as a specialty crop operation  and a small or very small business, and their eligible expenses. Complete the form according to the FSA-888 instructions.
• AD-2047, Customer Data Worksheet: This form will be required if not already on file with the Farm Service Agency and documents personal information that positively identifies the customer. Existing customers can also use this form to update their customer profile. Complete the form according to the AD-2047 instructions.
• SF-3881, ACH Vendor/Miscellaneous Payment Enrollment Form: This form will be required if not already on file with the Farm Service Agency and will be used to collect your banking information to allow USDA to make payments to you via direct deposit.
• CCC-860, Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification (if applicable): This form allows customers to certify that they, or the entity or joint operation, are a member (of if applicable members) of a socially disadvantaged group; qualify as a limited resource producer(s); are beginning farmer(s) or rancher(s); or are veterans. Complete the form according to the CCC-860 instructions.
• Supporting Documentation, if requested: Please note that applicants may be required to provide additional documentation to the Farm Service Agency, if necessary, to substantiate the expenses reported on the application. Examples of supporting documentation include paid invoices, purchase receipts, test results, food safety plans, and certifications, training documentation, and other records determined acceptable by FSA.

You are encouraged to contact the Farm Service Agency office at your local USDA Service Center with any questions about FSCSC, program eligibility, or the application process. You may also call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to provide one-on-one assistance.

Not sure if your farm is covered by the FSMA Produce Safety Rule? Use this decision tool to find out: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4IagP1mbPyrp42N

Please follow the links for each class to get more information and to register:

FSMA Produce Safety Rule Training –

Wednesday, Jan 11, 10:00 AM, FSMA Produce Safety Rule Training

Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County, Ewing

Registration fee $75.00 includes lunch

Thursday, Feb 9, 9:00 AM FSMA PSR

Harrah’s Resort, New Jersey Agricultural  Convention

Registration fee $50.00 and does not include lunch or registration for the Convention or Trade Show, deadline to register is Feb 3, 2023.

Third Party Audit Training-

Thursday, Feb 23, 2023 9:00 AM EST an ONLINE ONLY Introduction to Harmonized Audits.

Registration fee is $15.00, deadline to register is Feb 16, 2023.

Wednesday, Mar 1, 2023 9:00 AM EST Advanced Audit Training, ONLINE ONLY.

Registration fee at $15.00, deadline for registration is Feb 22, 2023.

Wednesday, Mar 15, 10:00 AM is the Food Safety Training for Blueberry Growers 

Rutgers Philip E. Marucci Center in Chatsworth, NJ.

Registration fee $50.00 includes lunch, deadline for registration is March 8, 2023.

1 hour webinars-

Wednesday, Apr 12, 2023 12:00 PM EDT is our FREE Webinar: Retraining and Upskilling Workers on Produce Safety Best Practices.

ONLINE ONLY. Registration is FREE and is open until April 7, 2023.

 

 

The FDA has finalized traceability requirements under FSMA.  The rule takes effect January 20, 2023, but enforcement will be delayed until January 20, 2026.  All operations will need to start complying on that date.  Operations with sales of less than $25,000 on average over the last 3 years adjusted for inflation based on 2020 are exempt. If a grower is exempt from the FSMA: PSR based on sales under $25,000 it is also exempt from the traceability rule. Growers who sell directly to consumers, sell food to institution programs, produce certain foods that are packaged on a farm, grow food that is rarely consumed raw or grow food that receives certain types of processing are exempt. If a grower sells wholesale and direct to consumer, the wholesale product may fall under the traceability rule.

FDA has developed a “Food Traceability List (FTL)”  which is a list of foods for which additional traceability records are required to be maintained.  In New Jersey it covers most of what is grown such as fresh cucumbers, herbs, leafy greens, melons, peppers, etc. unless it is considered rarely consumed raw.

For growers who fall under the rule a traceability plan is required which includes:

• How the records are maintained including the format and location of the records
• Description of the procedures used to identify foods on the FTL list
• Description how traceability lot codes are assigned
• Contact person who manages the records
• Farm map showing the areas where commodities are grown and name of each field including coordinates
• Plans must be retained for 2 years.

Records must be maintained for every “Critical Tracking Event (CTE)” which is an event in the supply chain of a food involving the harvesting, cooling or initial packing of a raw agricultural commodity.  Along with the CTE are “Key Data Elements (KDE)” which is the information which must be maintained.  So what records are required?

• The commodity at harvest
• Quantity and unit of measure of the food harvested (boxes, pounds, etc.)
• Name of the field or growing area including GPS map coordinates
• The date of harvest
• Farm name, address and phone number of the operation

Lot codes will need to be assigned when the commodity is packed.  The same lot code will be used throughout the marketing system.  These lot code numbers do not need to be attached to each box or container.  They do need to be on a bill of lading, invoice, etc.

The next three years will be a learning experience for growers, extension educators and regulators.  There are many details in the rule which are not clear even after reading it more than once.  At the New Jersey Agricultural Convention & Trade Show Wednesday February 8 in the Food Safety session (2:45-4:45) we will review the latest interpretation of the rule and discuss which records will be required.  For anyone who wants more details go to:  https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma/fsma-final-rule-requirements-additional-traceability-records-certain-foods.

 

The water rule under the Food Safety Modernization Rule (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) has been under review for some time.  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finalized the harvest and post-harvest water portion which includes water used during harvest, for hand washing, cleaning equipment, cooling, and cleaning produce.

As with other FSMA rules, the FDA plans to take an “educate before and while we regulate” posture as they begin implementing the harvest and post-harvest requirements.  The harvest and post-harvest rule go into effect on the following dates:

• January 26, 2023, for all farms with sales over $500,000.
• January 26, 2024, for small businesses (total sales more than $250,00 but less than $500,000); and
• January 26, 2025, for very small businesses (total sales more than $25,000 but less than $250,000).

Growers are required to test ground water sources (wells) four times in the first year and once each year thereafter.  If the water does not meet acceptable levels (non-detectable generic E. coli) the farm would need to stop using the source and determine the cause, make corrections then return to testing four times.  If a municipal water source is used the report from the municipality testing program is sufficient.  Remember untreated surface water can not be used for harvest or post-harvest activities.

Growers will also need to do a water distribution inspection each year that evaluates the water source, connections going into harvest or post-harvest systems and any water delivery systems in a packing house.  Records will need to be maintained for two years showing the inspection results.  There will be more details presented at the New Jersey Agricultural Convention & Trade Show at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City February 8, 2023, during the afternoon food safety session.

Pre-Harvest (Irrigation) Agricultural Water Requirements

It is not yet known when the pre-harvest rule will be finalized.  However, when the proposed rule is finalized, it will require farms to conduct an annual systems based agricultural water assessment to determine and guide measures to minimize potential risks associated with pre-harvest agricultural water.  When the rule is finalized, FDA proposes the following compliance dates:

• Nine months after the effective date for all other businesses (farms over $500,000);
• One year, nine months after the effective date for small businesses (farms more than $250,00 to $500,000); and
• Two years, nine months after the effective date for very small businesses (farms more than $25,000 to $250,000).

 

The Food and Drug Administration will be holding a webinar on the final food traceability rule under the Food Safety Modernization Act. The final rule goes into effect January 20, 2023, but enforcement does not start until January 20, 2026. This webinar will give growers a chance to help determine whether the rule will affect their operation and whether they may be exempt. Most vegetables, herbs and fruit grown in New Jersey fall under the rule, but some operations will be exempt. This is your opportunity to start understanding the rule.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) will hold an informational webinar on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm (ET) on the recently released https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safetymodernization-act-fsma/fsma-final-rule-requirements-additional-traceability-records-certain-foods issued under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The final rule is designed to facilitate faster identification and rapid removal of potentially contaminated food from the market, resulting in fewer foodborne illnesses and/or deaths.

During the webinar, the FDA will provide an overview of the final rule, including the foods and entities covered by the rule, explain the exemptions from the rule, and discuss the recordkeeping requirements of the rule. The FDA will answer pre-submitted questions and take questions during the webinar. Foods subject to the final rule requirements appear on the https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safetymodernization-act-fsma/food-traceability-list (FTL), and include fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, shell eggs, nut butters, as well as certain fresh fruits, certain fresh vegetables, ready-to-eat deli salads, soft cheeses, and certain seafood products.

Persons who manufacture, process, pack, or hold foods on the FTL must maintain records including Key Data Elements (KDEs) related to Critical Tracking Events (CTEs) in the supply chain for the food (link). Covered entities – including farms, manufacturers, distributors, retail food establishments, and restaurants – will be required to provide this traceability information to the FDA within 24 hours of an official request, or within some reasonable time to which the FDA agrees.

Registration is at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DYRQFTL

You may submit a question in advance when registering. You may also submit your question to FSMA204Traceability@fda.hhs.gov.

For questions about the Food Traceability final rule, visit Frequently Asked Questions on FSMA at https:// www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma/frequently-asked-questions-fsma.

On December 8^th there will be two webinars related to on-farm food safety.  The first is part of our Lunchtime On-the-Go On-Farm Food Safety Webinar Series.

Using Sanitizers in a Postharvest Setting: Selecting a Sanitizer and Understanding its Label

Presented by: Donna Clements, Produce Safety Alliance Coordinator and NE Regional Extension Associate, Food Science Cornell AgriTech from 12:00-1:00. This series is Free! Connect with computer, the mobile app, or by calling in! You will get the link to sign on or call in a few days before the event.

Growers are taught “the label is the law” but finding the right information and understanding what the language means can be difficult. This webinar will make understanding and following the label instructions more manageable in the postharvest setting and discuss the FSMA Postharvest water compliance requirements and timeframes.

At the end of the webinar participants will understand:

• • EPA labeling, what to look for and what it means
  • Ideal chemistries for use in surface sanitation and postharvest water
  • Best practices for sanitizing surfaces and postharvest water
  • Management of postharvest sanitation systems
  • FSMA Postharvest water compliance dates

To sign up or for more information go to: Rutgers On-Farm Food Safety Programs Deadline to register is December 5, 2022

Agricultural Water “Risky to You?”

The second webinar scheduled from 3:00-5:30 is a continuation of the prior webinar on agricultural water and will feature Dr. Don Schaffner from Rutgers University. He will explain what attributes of a water testing program need to be included if it is to be risk based. The webinar will consist of a one-hour presentation followed by 30 min of interactive Q&A.

Registration link 👉 https://virginiatech.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GKkO7INqSUGnhPVCdAZX_Q