Path B New Jersey Department of Agriculture's Continued Implementation of the Produce Safety Rule

Project Summary/Abstract Under the PAR-21-174 Funding Opportunity, the NJDA will be pursuing Path B. The NJDA will continue its work on implementation of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule by building on progress achieved during the previous funding opportunity. The goals of the funding opportunity and the NJDA in general remain the same – promoting a proactive food safety culture, educating the grower population, and enforcing the Produce Safety Rule in an effort to keep people safe. Throughout the funding opportunity, the NJDA will focus it’s efforts verifying our covered farm inventory – ensuring that all 3 tiers of farms are completely verified by the end of the grant. To do this, we will use existing departmental lists – as in the past – as well as local tax records to find farms that may not be on our radar. In addition, education of all covered farms is a priority. We will be working with our sub awardee Rutgers University to educate new farms discovered through our inventory verification efforts and offer continuing education and resources to farms who need it through our new produce safety website. Lastly, we will continue the progress made on the regulatory side – all covered farms will undergo an initial Produce Safety Rule inspection by the end of the grant. To help achieve this, we have switched to an online database, USA Plants, to ensure secure documentation of inspections and farm information. The NJDA believes these are attainable goals with the help of the funding opportunity. During the next 5 years, the NJDA can further grow it’s produce safety program and form a multi-state produce safety network with the overall mission of a proactive food safety program that keeps everyone safe.