PSA Working Committee #6

PSA Working Committee #6 Teleconference June 7, 2011 @ 3 pm

1. Welcome

Thanks to everyone for joining a PSA Working Committee! The mission of the Produce Safety Alliance is to develop a national Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) education and training outreach program for farmers, packers, government and academic stakeholders to improve on- farm food safety practices and foster compliance with the anticipated U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fresh produce safety regulation.

2. Introductions

On the call: Jonathan Baros, Carol D’lima, Barry Eisenberg, Nancy Flores, Hank Giclas, Steve Gilman, Melissa Herbert, Craig Kahlke, Karen Killinger, Wes Kline, Michael Mahovic, James Scott Monroe, Gurmail Mudahar, Londa Nwadike, James Oblinger, Mark Queenan, Michael Roberson, Chip Simmons, Phil Tocco, Lynn Turner, Betsy Bihn (PSA), Mark Kogut (PSA)

Overview of Working Committee

Reviewed goals outlined on the meeting notes that were send via email.

Additional discussion points included:

 Clarifying the understanding that initial emphasis for curriculum development will address the needs of small and very small scale growers/packers.

 How often will the WCs meet?

o No set # of times, but will start at once a month until chairpersons are selected.

o Important to keep in mind the timeframes that influence the project

 Timeframes for completing tasks

o Draft curriculum by Dec 2011, so Sept/Oct for completing initial tasks of WCs

 Defining small (or very small) scale grower and packer

o Growers who only direct market (no wholesale markets)

o As defined by the Food Safety Modernization Act (sales under $500,000)

o Several members of WC#5 felt this definition was critical to providing guidance, suggestions, and input on this project o Definition likely to encompass a range of attributes

o Process will not be limited to small scale growers, since all growers are welcome and discussion topics will likely encompass many different sized operations.

 Committee could use more small scale growers

o Encouraged WC members to recruit small scale growers

o Participation in the WCs remain open to all people interested in participating

o Many WC members may represent groups of growers. This is expected and encouraged.

 Organization of topics

o Each WC will receive an outline of the areas that are covered by their WC as well as by other WCs

o This outline is provided as a guide meant to encourage discussion. Areas can be added or deleted as determined by the WC

 Questions about the size of the WC

o This WC currently has 49 people. The size will not be capped or limited. Everyone is invited to participate with no exclusions.

o Can WC have subcommittees? In theory yes, but will leave final decision up to co- chairs and the WC itself to decide how it is best to proceed in order to cover their topic areas.

 Questions and statements about the curriculum

o Will it be required? This is not clear because that decision may be made by the regulation. There is a WC that is looking at a certification process along the lines of Seafood HACCP certification.

o Will it be commodity specific? There may be areas that the WCs identify that need to be specific to a commodity, but it is too early to know. Many small and very small scale operations grow many commodities and are interested in farm- wide recommendations, not just one commodity. As WCs identify challenges, materials will be developed to guide understanding and implementation either at the commodity level or farm level, whatever makes the most sense and is the most effective. o The curriculum should be dynamic and must be so that changes in science as well as the FDA regulation can be incorporated

 Purpose of the June Meeting

o Review current GAPs training and education programs so that the resources can be identified and used. Target resources in areas where information is lacking

3. Nomination of Working Committee Chairpersons

 Each WC will have 2 chairpersons.

 Those interested in being chair should email Betsy ([email protected])

 Co-chairs were chosen subsequent to call: Wes Kline and Barry Eisenberg

 PSA Exec Comm will select chairs to make sure the Steering Committee has broad representation from the produce industry

 FDA personnel cannot be nominated to chair WCs

4. Establish meeting days and times for future meetings

 Mid week meetings better than Monday/Friday

 Tuesdays and Thursdays 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm

 Is there an organization calendar for meeting times or names of all the people on all the committees? Not yet, but will attempt to organize that once all the committees meet.