Path A Oregon Department of Agriculture's Cooperative Agreement for Continued Implementation of a Produce Safety Program

Oregon Project Summary / Abstract The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) is applying for Path A non- regulatory Education and Inventory Funding for Band 3 of PAR-21-174 under the project title Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative Agreement for Continued Implementation of a Produce Safety Program under Path A. ODA’s Produce Safety Program implements the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) through education, outreach, technical assistance and the development of a farm inventory. ODA’s proposed project will increase understanding of and compliance with the PSR, ultimately resulting in increased food safety and quality of Oregon produce. The development and implementation of the program began in the previous Cooperative Agreement’s 5-year cycle and will continue under the expectations outlined in the current PAR-21-174. Oregon’s Produce Safety Program will provide outreach and education to 1,554 produce operations by June 30, 2026 and to have our farm inventory of 1,554 farms, 100% verified by June 30, 2026. We will continue to offer On-Farm Readiness Reviews and other technical assistance to covered Oregon operations via either remote or in-person assistance. Our program will work in cooperation with FDA as they conduct routine Produce Safety Rule inspections in Oregon. We will also continue to meet the reporting requirements to FDA as established in PAR-21-174. Work resulting from this funding will help to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses associated with Produce Safety Rule covered produce and activities.