Path C Georgia Cooperative Agreement to Implement, improve, and sustain the state Produce Safety Program

Application ID 977350 Grant Number TBD Georgia Department of Agriculture The FDA's Cooperative Agreement Program for States and Territories to Implement a National Produce Safety Program PAR-21-174 Project Period: 2021-2026 Project Abstract: The Georgia Department of Agriculture, Produce Safety Division strives to improve upon its development of a produce safety program established under uniform foundation for the regulatory oversight of Georgia covered produce commodities described in the FSMA produce safety rule. The development and implementation of this program has historically and will continue to assist federal and state programs to better direct their regulatory activities toward reducing foodborne illness hazards as related to growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of produce for human consumption. Program needs for the cooperative agreement application funding include, but are not limited to: • Reassess the State of Georgia’s produce landscape, based on established trends, with a focus upon produce covered under the Produce Rule, and available resources to determine the necessary size and scope of Georgia’s Produce Safety Program comparatively to previous requirements. • Research alternate means to improve and maintain a verified produce farm inventory. • Provide resources for, and invest in, the GDA program's infrastructure. • Tailor specific mechanisms to better coordinate with other local, state, territory, and federal agencies for produce safety activities. • Formulate a multi-year plan to reinforce and enhance the current produce safety system. • Refine the current performance measurement system, plan and/or process system to measure the progress towards the goals of this cooperative agreement using analytical processes including quantitative and qualitative data. • Develop and/or provide additional education, outreach, and technical assistance, prioritizing farming operations covered by the rule. • Develop and/or provide additional education, outreach, and technical assistance to the jurisdictional produce safety regulators. • Refine, audit, and enact a compliance and enforcement program for applicable produce safety regulations at the jurisdictional level. If fully funded under this cooperative agreement application as outlined in PAR-21-174, in collaboration with FDA and State stakeholders as part of a National Integrated Food Safety System, The Georgia Department of Agriculture, Produce Safety Division will continue progressive efforts toward full implementation and enforcement of the Produce Safety Rule as we continue to develop, improve, and perfect our program focused on public health and produce safety.