On July 3, 2025, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service released 3 new addenda to the Harmonized and Harmonized GAP Plus+ Standards: Warehouse, Food Defense, and Integrated Pest Management. All of which will require additional records. Requirements in the existing Harmonized and Harmonized GAP Plus+ standards have not changed. These new standards, versions 3.1 and 5.1 respectively, are effective July 3, 2025. Growers do not need to have these addendums audited unless a buyer requests one or all. Go to USDA Harmonized Audits to review the additions here Harmonized GAP | Agricultural Marketing Service.
April 28, 2025 Meredith Melendez
Farm Use of NJ Cottage Food Permit – Webinar 4/30
Learn about the NJ Cottage Food Permit and what value-added products you can, and can’t, make and sell. Meredith Melendez will be hosted by the NJ Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee on April 30th at 6:00 PM. The webinar is free, but registration is required. A tour of the NOFA Farmers Process certified kitchen in Milford will take place on May 7th at 10:00 am, learn more at the webinar!
Food Safety Modernization Act Traceability Rule Delayed
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced March 20 that the Traceability Rule is being delayed for 30 months. The rule was to go into effect January 1, 2026, but now enforcement will not start for at least 2.5 years. FDA will be publishing a proposed rule at a later date. There are no indications at this time what changes they plan to make or how it will impact growers of different size operations.
LAST CHANCE FOR FSMA PRODUCE SAFETY RULE GROWER TRAINING
When: March 10, 2025, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Where: Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County, 1440 Parkside Ave., Ewing Township, NJ 08638
Pre-Registration Required Deadline to register online is Monday March 3
This training fulfills the requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that at least one person from each farm needs to receive a standardized curriculum recognized by the FDA.
Topics Include:
- Introduction to Produce Safety
- Worker Health, Hygiene & Training
- Soil Amendments
- Wildlife, Domesticated Animals & Land Use
- Agricultural Water – Production Water
- Agricultural Water – Postharvest Water
- Postharvest Handling & Sanitation
- How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan
Each attendee will receive a grower manual and be eligible for a certificate from the Association of Food & Drug Officials of the United States (AFDO). Note: Each participant must stay the entire training to be eligible for the certificate of training.
The cost is $100/per person (Lunch included)
For more information, email Jennifer at jmatthews@njaes.rutgers.edu
Register at: https://onfarmfoodsafety.rutgers.edu/
This training is partly funded through grants from the United States Food & Drug Administration.
Note: Financial Assistance for Food Safety Certification and Training is available from the USDA Farm Service Agency. This is the chance for eligible fresh fruit and vegetable growers to recover some of their expenses for implementing food safety practices on the farm. For more information on this program please go to: Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops for Program Years 2024 and 2025
February 18, 2025 Meredith Melendez
NJ Ag Convention Educational Session Summaries Available Online
The proceedings from the 2025 New Jersey Agricultural Convention educational sessions are now available online. Visit the Vegetable Crops Online website for this year, and previous years, proceedings.
Advanced Audit Training For Growers
Monday, March 3
9am – 12pm EDT
Cost: $10.00 per person
Location: Online, Zoom
You will receive the Zoom link by email approximately 1 week before class and a reminder email the morning of class
Registration Deadline & Refunds:
Deadline to register is Friday February 28, 2025
Refunds up to 7 days before event, online service fee is nonrefundable.
This online program offers growers a deeper dive into audit standards and on farm food safety issues they face on their farms. Compliance hot topics and recurring issues will be discussed as well as a timely update on traceability. This program is for growers who have already taken the Introduction to Audits Class, either online or in person.
Topics Covered Include:
- Hot Topics in Food Safety
- Cleaning and Sanitizing
- Hazards v. Risks
Any questions email Jennifer Matthews at jmatthews@njaes.rutgers.edu, 609-675-4221
A minimum of 10 people required to hold the class.
Growers who complete this training will receive a certificate.
To register go to https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9KygQyXTbRlVOLk
