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February 23, 2021


In this issue:
Visit our YouTube Page
Advanced GAP Webinar Series
A Legal Guide to Direct Farm Marketing for Maryland Produce Growers
Announcing: Agriculture and Food Systems
Breakfast with the Food Safety Group


Dried Herbs and Teas: Value Added Products Need to be Food Safe too 
 
Maryland’s small diversified farms often include herbs and flowers. When these products are sold at the farm or market, and if their purpose is to season food or to be used as a tea, their growing, harvesting, drying and handling need to be done with food safety in mind.

Angela Ferelli, PhD recently gave a talk at the Urban Farmer Winter Meeting on just this subject. A video of her presentation can be found here: https://youtu.be/TTBUSrt-P1Q

 
Photo credit, Chris Walsh

A farm's plans need to consider food safety in three areas of the process:
  1. Good agricultural practices to produce the best and safest plant material.
  2. Good handling practices to produce the safest and best dried product if that is your end goal.
  3. Good labeling and use instructions for the consumer to insure the best, safest and most flavorful product possible.
Dried herbs and flowers come under the guidance of the Maryland Department of Health. If selling dried herbs or flowers is in your business plan, here are some recommendations to get you started:
  1. List your intended products.
  2. List the equipment you will be using to produce those items.
  3. Diagram or describe the flow of that product from field through harvest and processing to finished product.
  4. Contact herb processing experts (contact information below) to help guide you to safe processing.
  5. Contact MDH to find out what licensing and inspections you will need.
Your flow diagram or description should include a diagram of your processing facility too. An unidirectional flow will minimize back-tracking and possible cross contamination.
 
Photo credit, Rachel Ross

Which license you need will be based on the dollar amount of your product sold. Make sure to contact MDH early in your plans to stay compliant. You can consult the Plant Science Food Safety Group for the good agricultural practices, Henriette den Ouden (hdenouden@umes.edu) for information on herb production and Dr. Melinda Schwarz (mschwarz@umes.edu) for assistance in managing water activity in the dried product.

 

The Plant Science Food Safety Group YouTube Page!  
Visit our website for more produce safety information
https://psla.umd.edu/extension/produce-safety

 
Are you interested in Harmonized GAP Certification?

Announcing: Advanced Good Agricultural Practices Webinar Series

When: Tuesday mornings, February 2nd to March 9th from 7:00am – 8:00am.

This series is free and will present key aspects in preparing for a Harmonized GAP audit, as well as food safety updates going into the 2021 season. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/maryland-advanced-good-agricultural-practices-webinar-series-tickets-135784419855. All sessions will be recorded and available for viewing at another time. Registration will close the day before the session.

Each Advanced GAP webinar will provide registered attendees with educational materials and a certificate of completion. Contact Angela Ferelli (angfer@umd.edu, (301)-405-8922) or Carol Allen (callen12@umd.edu , 240-994-5043) for more information.

February 2nd, 7:00am – 8:00am. Introduction: Taking the Next Step in On-Farm Food Safety.
Learn the logistics of and how to prepare for the harmonized GAP audit. 2021 produce safety updates included.
February 16th, 7:00am – 8:00am. Preparing for Harmonized GAP: Writing Written Risk Assessments. 
Discover how to efficiently and effectively construct written assessments to account for food safety risks on your operation.
February 23rd, 7:00am – 8:00am. Research Spotlight: Salmonella in Mid-Atlantic Irrigation Water Sources.
Mid-Atlantic food safety water quality issues will be discussed as well as how to manage your water sources for Harmonized GAP.
March 2nd, 7:00am - 8:00am - Preparing for Harmonized GAP: Product Traceability and Getting Recall Ready.
Look at effectively recording the inputs you use to make your product, how to follow your product to your buyers, and preparing for a possible recall.
March 9th, 7:00am – 8:00am. COVID-19 Updates and Resources for the 2021 Season. 
Maryland COVID-19 requirements for your farm operation are expected to change. Learn about the resources to help you keep your workers and customers safe.

Legalities of Direct Marketing for Specialty Crop Growers 

ALEI, one of our partners in the Maryland Food Safety Network, is presenting two webinars, February 18th and February 23rd presenting a guide to the legal issues that go along with direct marketing. Attendees will receive a copy of the printed guide,  A Legal Guide to Direct Farm Marketing for Maryland Produce Growers. The webinars will be recorded and will be available for viewing at a later date on the ALEI website.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/legal-side-of-direct-farm-marketing-liabilities-contracts-online-sales-tickets-128259935921

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There are signs available through the MDA Food Quality Assurance Program to encourage good consumer practices while in the market and on the farm. Contact the Food Safety Group for availability.
Wash Your Produce
Keep Farms Clean
This 12" x 18" poster comes either as a corrugated poster board or as a magnetic sign and is perfect for Pick-Your-Own operations.
 


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Breakfast with the Food Safety Group from 7:00 - 10:00 am!
We are offering virtual office hours from 7:00 - 10:00 am.
Carol Allen can be reached at 301-405-7543 on Monday, Wednesday & Friday mornings.
Angela Ferelli can be reached at 301-405-8922 Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
 
Call in with your questions about food safety for fresh produce!

Keep track of what is happening in produce safety and find cool resources. Check out our website: Food Safety Group Website 

Miss a back issue? They can be found on the website above by clicking on the "Food Safety Newsletter for Maryland Farmers" button. The past issues tab can be found in the top left corner.

 
Housekeeping: Notice there are Subscribe and Unsubscribe links at the bottom of the page. Please subscribe and pass this newsletter on! We want to serve your needs and the needs of all Maryland farmers big and small no matter your food crop. If something bugs you, please contact me! …but we want to stay in touch so don’t unsubscribe, reach out!

Carol D. Allen, Agent Associate and Editor
Chris Walsh, Professor Emeritus and Co-PI
University of Maryland
Plant Science Food Safety Group
callen12@umd.edu

Questions for MDA Food Quality Assurance Program:
Deanna Baldwin, Program Manager    

Food Quality Assurance Program
Maryland Department of Agriculture
produce.safety@maryland.gov
 
Funding for this publication was made possible, in part, by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137.  The views expressed in written materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health & Human Services; nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organization imply endorsement by the United States Government. University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class
Highway 301 Fruit and Vegetable News
Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture Produce Safety
Carol D.Allen, Editor
Copyright © 2020 Plant Science Food Safety Group All rights reserved.

Plant Science Food Safety Group, 2102 Plant Science Bldg., College Park, MD 20742

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