I have been collaborating with NJDA in food safety training since 1999. Meredith Melendez and I took on this task at growers request to help support the industry.

At times, it has been a frustrating experience for both growers and us. Some growers and buyers have said “I will get out of the business before doing those things” and in fact some probably will retire. However, the majority, even if they have not gotten a third party audit or even attended the food safety trainings, have made changes in their operations that have improved food safety. How many still pack cilantro or parsley on the garage or packing house floor, which was a common practice before food safety became an issue? I have seen many changes that growers have made in the last 10 years and expect to see many more. [Read more…]