FAQ’s from Curriculum Trainings

I want to encourage agents to submit their questions to this blog for answers.  I will make every attempt to answer appropriately. Questions Q1. What’s considered an outbreak? (widespread/foodborne) The confirmed presence of disease or infection of one or more cases in a defined epidemiological unit (eg flock, herd, farm or village) and during a [...]

New USDA undersecretary of food safety nominated

USA Today is reporting that Elisabeth Hagen, current USDA chief medical officer, has been nominated for the post of undersecretary for food safety (also USDA). Hagen will serve with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who was quoted as saying “There is no more fundamental function of government than protecting consumers from harm, which is why food [...]

Information to Capture for Curriculum Certificate

As agents complete the Tier 1 trainings, they will need to gather information from the participants in order to fill in and issue the on-line N.C. MarketReady Fresh Produce Safety Certificate of Attendance (www.ncmarketready.org, scroll down to left-hand column and click on Agents only, click on Fresh produce safety -click on Educational Curriculum, scroll to [...]

Growers Kits for Agent to Use in Trainings

This is a tool developed to help growers with some of the necessary supplies that they need in their own farm food safety programs.  I have a limited supply and so these are available on a first-come basis. The kit includes : Fingernail brush GlowGerm Blacklight Chlorine Strips Kit pH Test Strips Nitrile Gloves Waterproof [...]

Welcome to NC Fresh Produce Safety Blog!

This blog is designed to complement the existing website (www.ncmarketready.org/ncfreshproducesafety) with timely information and resources pertinent to the fresh produce industry.