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COVID Update - Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions in Greater Sydney, the Freshcare Team are now all working remotely. We do not expect there to be any significant disruptions to the services that we provide, and we thank you for your understanding as we adjust to delivering ‘business as usual’ remotely. |
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GFSI Public Consultation - Freshcare FSQ4.2 |
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Freshcare Food Safety & Quality – Edition 4.2 (FSQ4.2) was released in November 2020, to meet the requirements of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) v2020 benchmark criteria. The public consultation for GFSI benchmarking of the FSQ4.2 Standard has now been released and can be accessed here. The public consultations closes 5th August 2021. |
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WA Biosecurity Alert: American Serpentine Leafminer |
The invasive exotic pest American serpentine leafminer (Liriomyza trifolii) has been found in northern Western Australia. |
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) confirmed the pest’s presence in WA from a sample collected near Kununurra. This is the first time this species of leafminer has been found on the Australian mainland. |
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Producers, agronomists and homeowners can help by monitoring plants, and reporting any tunnelling leaf damage and suspect flies to DPIRD. Reporting both absence and presence of the pest will support DPIRD’s surveillance efforts. Send in reports to: DPIRD Pest and Disease Information Service +61 (0)8 9368 3080 padis@dpird.wa.gov.au MyPestGuideTM mypestguide.agric.wa.gov.au |
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FPSC Online Conference Registrations Open |
Registrations for the Fresh Produce Safety Conference: Future Directions for Produce Safety are open! Returning on Wednesday 18 August 2021, the one-day conference will be held entirely online, making it accessible to all as a virtual event. |
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Join the FPSC as they cover topics including extreme weather events, pathogen persistence, risk factors in use of manure-amended soil, and more. A key panel for growers to watch out for is the “Food Safety for Growers: what’s ahead?” session, facilitated by Deon Mahoney from PMA-ANZ. With speakers Dr Sharon Jones from One Harvest, Rachel Mackenzie from Berries Australia, Damien Farrelly from NZGAP and grower Christopher Schreurs from Schreurs & Sons, this discussion is one not to miss. With a wide variety of topics from keynote speakers and industry panels, the conference promises to be an engaging day of learning and sharing among fresh produce growers, industry members and fresh produce safety professionals. Register: here. |
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The Fresh Produce Safety Centre Releases Fact Sheet on Foreign Object Contamination |
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Find out about the most common types of physical contaminants on crops and produce and how growers and the wider industry have taken action to reduce physical hazards here. |
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Flexible Audit Options Available to Maintain Certification During COVID-19 Restrictions |
Certification Bodies have procedures in place to ensure that businesses can maintain their certification to Freshcare throughout COVID-19 restrictions, this includes options for providing certificate extension and flexibility for two-part audits to be undertaken. If your audit is due, or scheduled and you are currently impacted by COVID-19 restrictions please contact your Certification Body directly for assistance. If it is possible for the auditor to conduct your on-site audit, it should be undertaken when scheduled. If restrictions do not permit your audit to be undertaken, Certification Bodies can advise on alternate options in consideration of requirements. Certification Body contact details can be found here:
freshcare.com.au/auditing-and-certification/certification-bodies |
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Wellbeing Resources for You and Your Team |
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The Benestar® Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a confidential counselling, coaching and wellbeing service, funded by Freshcare, to enable free access to certified businesses, their staff and immediate family members. Benestar® is completely independent of Freshcare, they provide qualified services and ensure confidentiality for all users. Benestar® services offer help and counselling to manage work and life experiences, issues or concerns that arise from time to time. Benestar® services can be accessed for free by Freshcare certified businesses, their staff and immediate family members.
Information on how to access these services and resources available can be found here: freshcare.com.au/benestar-eap. Freshcare certified businesses are encouraged to download and share this information with their workers and family. |
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Farm Household Allowance (FHA) Subsidies Available to Support Freshcare Training |
Farmers that are eligible to receive the Farm Household Allowance (FHA) through Services Australia, can also access an Activity Supplement of up to $10,000 to support the financial improvement of their business. The Activity Supplement criteria outlines that it can be used for training or study to help you manage your farm; and/or for professional advice. |
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Freshcare training to all standards and facilitation methods (online or in-person) meets the Activity Supplement criteria. Freshcare has already assisted a number of growers to access the supplement with the assistance of their Farm Household Case Officer. If you are eligible to received the Farm Household Allowance and are interested in updating your Freshcare training, or in completing training to a new standard, for the benefits it could provide your business, please contact your Farm Household Case Officer for information on how to apply for the subsidy. Further information is available on the Services Australia website. |
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NASAA Approved to Deliver Freshcare
Food Safety Audits |
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NASAA Certified Organic Pty. Ltd. of Australia is now accredited for Freshcare – Food Safety & Quality Standard Edition 4.2; and Freshcare – Food Safety & Quality-Supply Chain Standard Edition 1 for Grower, Packer and Supply Chains. For more information on their accreditation, visit NASAA Certified Organic Pty. Ltd. – IOAS. |
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Freshcare Recognised Suppliers |
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Some of our premium listing suppliers are displayed above If you are interested in becoming a Freshcare Recognised Supplier complete the sign-up form here, or send a request for more information via email. |
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The Freshcare Recognised Suppliers Register is an integrated service that enables you to search for reputable suppliers and view evidence of the credentials that underpin the products and services these suppliers offer, all in a “one-stop-shop”. |
To search the Freshcare Recognised Suppliers Register visit: www.freshcare.com.au/recognised-suppliers |
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Growers affected by Tropical Cyclone Niran can now access grants of up to $75,000. |
Growers affected by Tropical Cyclone Niran and Associated Low-Pressure System between 25 February – 3 March 2021, can now access extraordinary disaster assistance grants of up to $75,000. Growers should visit the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority website to access further details and application forms. |
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Visit the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia website for the latest program information, industry benefits, case studies and resources. Freshcare provides the underpinning certification standards for Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, enabling participants to achieve certified member program recognition for use of the trust mark. |
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Welcome New Freshcare Staff!We may be in lockdown in Sydney, but that hasn't stopped us from welcoming on board two new team members this month! Freshcare would like to extend their welcome to the Freshfaced staff. |
Leizl DornerRole: E-Learning Officer Fun Fact: Leizl loves mountain climbing - make sure to ask her about the time she climbed to the peak of Annapurna in Nepal! |
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| Henry ZhuRole: Communications Officer Fun Fact: Henry was officially in the top 1% of Charli XCX listeners on Spotify in 2020. |
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CONNECT WITH US ONLINE |
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES |
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