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Resources

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Produce Safety Resources

There are many produce safety tools, templates, videos, webinars, and informational resources available online today. The resource links and templates we have collected here are just a selection and come from our own work and the efforts of educators across the US. They do not represent everything available to you and we encourage you to do your own research and find what makes sense to you since every farm has unique circumstances. The tools we provide can help you get organized to comply with the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and build a Produce Safety plan. 

If you need help understanding compliance with the Produce Safety Rule or writing a Produce Safety plan for GAP certification, our produce safety educators can assist you. 

Please contact [email protected] or 410.690.7348

Produce Safety Toolkits

We have organized the information into several folders we are calling toolkits. Each toolkit has links to fact sheets, informational videos and webinars, and other useful websites that can help you to identify produce safety hazards and learn about best practices to reduce risk.

The toolkits contain downloadable templates for:

 

  1. Risk Assessments – help you identify the produce safety hazards in your operations, decide how likely they will occur, and think through what you can do to reduce these risks. Also help you understand where you need to focus your attention and resources.
  2. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) – describe how you will reduce the risk of a safety hazard and/or what you will do if a problem occurs or is discovered
  3. Logs – records that a procedure is getting done 

Some templates contain example language. Please make sure to customize these templates to reflect WHAT YOU ACTUALLY DO ON YOUR FARM.

The links below give you access to the toolkit folders on Google Drive. You will be able to read these documents online and copy or download them for your own use.

Agricultural Water - Pre and Postharvest 

Tools to help you evaluate your water sources and delivery systems for produce safety, and practical strategies to reduce risk. Best practices for post-harvest water use.

Cleaning and Sanitation - Harvest and Post-Harvest

Tools, tips and best practices for sanitation on the farm – what should be cleaned and sanitized, methods for washing produce, and how to use sanitizer safely.

Land Use, Animals and Manure

Understanding and assessing risks from wildlife, livestock, manure, alongside produce, and how you use the land you grow on.

Worker Training, Health and Hygiene, Handwashing 

Delve into the why, what and how of Produce Safety training – who should know and what you need to teach them.

Post-Harvest Handling for Quality and Shelf-Life

Tools, tips and best practices for produce handling to get consistently high quality and optimal shelf life.

Traceability and Recall 

What it means to trace produce from field to customer and why it matters. What you need to manage a recall.

Links to More Great Resources - Our Top Picks

Produce Safety plan templates and examples, in depth guides to all things produce safety, links to great web resources, and info on key legal questions and more…

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MINI-GRANTs

Mini-Grants up to $5,000 are available for:
– Market Research and Validation of Target Market
– Customer Acquisition
– Product Development Initiatives
– Food Safety Classes
Eligibility
Value-added producers and companies with traction ($20,000 or more in yearly revenue) in Maryland and Delaware are eligible to apply for Mini-Grants. Participants may apply once for each of the categories. Applicants must demonstrate that they have a unique and differentiated product or service that incorporates an aspect of innovation or technology in its production, processing, distribution, or other element of the food supply system.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Award decisions will be made and funds will be available no later than three weeks following the receipt of a completed application.
Application Process
Applicants must submit Mini-Grant proposals by filling out the form at this link. Copy(ies) of quote(s), proposal(s), estimate(s), or any other supporting documents.

MINI GRANT APPLICATION

ACCESS TO SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS (SMES)

CAIC offers access to Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) who can offer authoritative advice based on their deep knowledge and experience in a specific area. See the ADVISORS page of this Web site to learn more about the SMEs who are available to CAIC participants.

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