Farmers' Market Management Network » Policy and Regulation

New Food Safety Website for Ohioans

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:50:38 +0000

Thought I would pass this link along as it can be a great resource to help with educating consumers on food safety. Please check it out http://foodsafety.osu.edu and link to your website if you feel it would assist your consumers.

Thank you,

Christie

Writer:
Martha Filipic
filipic.3@cfaes.osu.edu
614-292-9833

Source:
Janet Buffer, Human Nutrition
jbuffer@ehe.osu.edu
614-247-8388

Lydia Medeiros, Human Nutrition
lmedeiros@ehe.osu.edu
614-292-2699

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohioans now can get the food safety information they need thanks to a new Ohio State University food safety website.

The website, http://foodsafety.osu.edu, offers consumers, health professionals and people who are at high risk of food-borne illness easy-to-understand, “plain talk” information that they can incorporate easily in their day-to-day life, said Lydia Medeiros, food safety specialist with Ohio State University Extension and one of the leaders in developing the site.

“We focused on information that helps people build skills,” said Medeiros, who is also a scientist with the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center and professor of human nutrition in the College of Education and Human Ecology. “Knowledge is good, but having the proper skills is the necessary factor that people need to implement their knowledge.”

The site contains numerous photos to illustrate food safety concepts for consumers in the “Ask Mom” area of the site, Medeiros said, including how to properly wash hands, test meat with a food thermometer, and prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen. The area for health professionals, “Ask the Doc,” provides food safety fact sheets that can be downloaded and shared with patients or clients who have been diagnosed with cancer or HIV/AIDS, who have had an organ transplant, who are pregnant or who have chronic conditions that make them more vulnerable to food-borne disease. In the “Ask the Teacher” portion of the site, educators have access to a PowerPoint presentation they can download to teach food safety concepts.

More materials will be added to the site, Medeiros said. “This is a dynamic website that will get deeper and broader as we add information to it,” she said.

In addition, the site offers users a way to ask Ohio State’s food safety professionals questions they can’t find answers to, by e-mailing foodsafety@osu.edu or calling Ohio State’s Food Safety Information Line, housed at the university’s Food Industry Center, at 800-752-2751 (toll-free in Ohio), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The website and food safety e-mail and phone line are made possible by grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Integrated Food Safety Initiative; The Kroger Co., which also supports a broader food safety outreach program through its in-store educational campaign; and the Center for Innovative Food Technology, which helps support the Food Safety Information Line.

Christie Welch, Farmers’ Market Specialist
The Business Development Network
at The OSU South Centers
1864 Shyville Rd.
Piketon, OH 45661
welch.183@osu.edu
740-289-3727 Ext. 234
800-860-7232 (Ohio only) Ext. 234
740-289-4591 (Fax)
http://ohiofarmersmarkets.osu.edu

Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program and the WIC Fruit & Veg. Program

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 17:17:09 +0000

Hello Ohio farmers market managers and vendors. I have received a number of questions about the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program and the WIC Fruit & Vegetable Program. In an effort to assist you with understanding the 2 programs and who can accept the vouchers, Kadie Donahoe from the Ohio Department of Health has provided to following information.

If you have questions, please contact Kadie, Robin or me.

Christie
welch.183@osu.edu

Clarification regarding the two programs which are administered by the Ohio Department of Health.

The first program is the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) which was started in Ohio in 1994 and is available in 46 Ohio counties (see attached list). This is the program that provides 5-$3 coupons to participants to be used at authorized farmers. FMNP farmer contracts expired December 31, 2009 so previously-contracted farmers received applications in March. If you know of a farmer who would like an application for the FMNP, they can call me at 614-644-7570 or e-mail me at Kadie.donahoe@odh.ohio.gov and we will send him an application packet.

The second program is the original WIC program. In October, 2009, the WIC program added fruits and vegetables to the WIC food package statewide. Depending on the category of the participant (Pregnant woman, child, etc.) each participant receives a fruit and vegetable voucher (FVV) worth $6 or $10 on a monthly basis. A letter was sent to all FMNP farmers in December and ads were run in newspapers across the state announcing the availability of the program and that applications would be due February 1. If a farmer is interested in this program and missed the application period, he can contact Robin Ridenour at 614-644-8285 or at robin.ridenour@odh.ohio.gov and asked to be put on next year’s application list. They need to do this by December, 2010.

If they are looking at the FVV program, I would strongly encourage farmers to read the requirements closely ( http://www.odh.ohio.gov/rules/final/f3701-42.aspx). Because the voucher is part of the original WIC program, there are requirements such as recording a date of redemption, capturing a participant signature and sending the vouchers into the bank processing firm within 30 days after the last valid date listed on the coupon, just to name a few.

Please let me know if you have any questions. You can either contact Kadie Donahoe Kadie Donahoe Kadie.Donahoe@odh.ohio.gov> by e-mail or call Kadie at 614-644-7570. You can also contact Robin Ridenour at 614-644-8285 or e-mail her at robin.ridenour@odh.ohio.gov regarding the FVV program.

ODA Training on Farmers’ Market Regulation

admin — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 20:44:19 +0000

Attached for your information and use is a joint (ODA and ODH) training announcement which has been sent to all local health departments. The training options will address three separate topics offered at different locations and dates. They include:

1. Farmers’ Markets, Cottage Foods, Home Bakeries and Exemptions for Farm Market Registration;

2. Determining Cost Methodology; (for local health departments only)

3. Labeling.

These sessions are being held to help educate local health department personnel in being more consistent and uniform in how they regulate food establishments throughout Ohio.

See Schedule Announcement for ODA Training

GAP Training Spring 2010

admin — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:33:42 +0000

There are still a few opportunities to participate in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training. Hal Kneen, who presented this information at the Ohio Farmers’ Markets conference in early March will be conducting the training sessions. Hal does a great job and provides useful information for Ohio growers. If you are interested in registering and/or checking availability of space please contact the appropriate coordinator listed below each training.

Date: March 27, 2010
Time: 10 :30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Title: Produce Safety Begins at the Farm GAPS
Event: The Agricultural Opportunities Conference
Location: Washington State Community College
Colgate Drive, Marietta,
This is part of an all day conference.
Cost $30.00
Contact: 740-376-7431

Date: April 5, 2010
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Title: Produce Safety Begins at the Farm GAPS
Location: Clark County OSU Extension Office
Prime Ohio Corp Park
4400 Gateway Blvd. Suite 104
Springfield, OH
Contact: 937-328-4607

GAP Training in Knox County:
http://knox.osu.edu/events/farmers-market-quality-assurance-training-1

http://knox.osu.edu/events/farmers-market-quality-assurance-training-2

Date: April 15, 2010
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Title: Produce Safety Begins at the Farm GAPS
Location: Montgomery County OSU Extension Office
1001 S. Main St.
Dayton, OH
Contact: 937-224-9654

Rural Action is kickin’ off Sustainable Ag. Week with GAP training at
the Chesterhill Produce Auction site,
8380 Wagoner Rd.
Chesterhill, Ohio 43728
April 19, 1:00
No charge
for questions go to;
www.ohiofoodshed.org and click on events,

email; tomr@ruralaction.org or bob@ruralaction.org,
or call Bob or Tom at 740-767-4938

ODA and ODH issue opinion for keeping products cold at farmers’ markets

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:21:34 +0000

The Retail Food Safety Advisory Council recommended during their meeting on February 23, 2010 that the Director of Agriculture and the Director of Health issue the attached “Letter of Opinion 2010-01”. This Letter of Opinion serves to clarify OAC 3717-1-04.1(KK) in regards to “Cold Holding at Farmers’ Markets and At Temporary and Some Mobile Facilities.”

Unless rules are adopted under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3717 that override the interpretation expressed in “Letter of Opinion 2010-01”, this interpretation shall be binding and applied uniformly throughout this state.

– Charles Kirchner, Food Saftey, Ohio Dept. of Agriculture

The ODA will be conducting training sessions on this interpretation, on cottage food rules, and labeling later this spring.

In layman’s terms, the letter tells the local health departments that it is acceptable for them to approve mobile retail food establishment licenses that include the use of coolers and ice to keep “sealed” foods cold. Sealed foods are those that are water impermeable such as commercially sealed packages of meat and cheese. When mechanical refrigeration is required for other items, such as eggs or cream pies, it clarifies that any refrigerators or freezers used need not be certified by a testing agency. In other words, the equipment need not be “commercial” grade. An accurate thermometer is needed to assure that temperature is maintained. The letter also confirms that a license issued in one county is to be honored throughout Ohio.

Read the Refrigeration Letter of Opinion 2010-01

Reminder: Non-mechanical refrigeration for Farmers Markets

admin — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 20:01:29 +0000

Final reminder for letters to support the new “letter of opinion” released to us JOINTLY from the ODA and Health Department. Chuck Kirchner has been an advocate for common sense and apparently he and Doctor Jackson are pushing for the clarification of refrigeration for farmers markets and other temporary locations.
Please read the background details in our Action Alert.

Letters to support the use of non-mechanical refrigeration need to flow to Director Boggs at ODA and to Dr. Jackson at ODH.
The hearing is Feb. 23, so you may need to email, fax or deliver your last minute letters to their offices in person by Monday.

Director Robert J. Boggs
Ohio Department of Agriculture
8995 E. Main Street
Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068

Ohio Dept. Of Agriculture Administration Ph:(614) 466-2732 fax: (614) 466-6124
(email administration@agri.ohio.gov)

Director Alvin D. Jackson, M.D.
Ohio Department of Health
246 N. High Street
P.O. Box 118
Columbus, Ohio 43215
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, Alvin D. Jackson M.D…. Ph: 614-466-2253

(email: Director@odh.ohio.gov)

Full information at:

http://fmmn.org/2010/02/08/action-alert-non-mechanical-refrigeration-farmers-markets/

Free GAP Training for Farmers Market Sellers

admin — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:18:47 +0000

Farmers Market Quality Assurance Workshop

With the increased interest by consumers for safe and wholesome locally produced foods, the number of farmers markets and marketers continues to rise. At the same time, consumers are seeking assurance the produce and baked goods they purchase have been handled in a way that assures the highest level of regard for the consumers health and well being.

Contamination of fruits and vegetables can spread quickly, and washing the produce does not totally eliminate potentially harmful microorganisms. In the right environment, bacteria replicate every 20 minutes and some types, such as E.coli O157:H7, cause serious illness with as few as 10 cells. The number of foodborne illness outbreaks associated with fresh produce has doubled in the last 30 years and the responsibility of assuring the public they are providing a safe food supply rests with the growers.

Farmers Market Quality Assurance, or GAP (Good Agricultural Practice) training as some call it, is a workshop for growers which simply brings to light concerns that have the potential to compromise the safety of food as it’s grown or produced at home on the farm and then offered to the consumer in a farmers market environment. The Fairfield County office of Ohio State University Extension will host such a workshop on March 18, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Fairfield County Ag Center in Lancaster.

Featured speaker Troy Cooper, OSU Extension Horticulture Educator in Knox County, will help participants explore a variety of common concerns and precautions as they grow and market produce, plants, meat and baked goods directly to the consumer. Those who complete this 2 hour workshop will receive a certificate of Farm Market Quality Assurance/GAP Training.

To register for this free workshop, complete the on-line registration form under this link, or call OSU Extension at 740.653.5419.

Action Alert: Non-mechanical Refrigeration at Ohio Farmers Markets

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:38:08 +0000

Members and friends of the Farmers’ Market Management Network, this is the call for letters to support the new “letter of opinion” released to us JOINTLY from the ODA and Health Department. Chuck Kirchner has been an advocate for common sense and apparently he and Doctor Jackson are pushing for the clarification of refrigeration that you will find in the e-mails below. Now the letters to support the use of non-mechanical refrigeration need to flow to Director Boggs at ODA and to Dr. Jackson at ODH, the addresses are below. Angel and Doug Daniels sent wonderful letters to Director Boggs, please send a copy to Dr. Jackson. The hearing is Feb. 23 so please be quick. Many thanks and anxious to hear from you with questions.

Bart Henshaw

FMMN Food Safety Committee

From: Kirchner, Chuck
Sent: Monday, February 08, 2010 7:29 AM
To: John Henshaw
Subject: RE: refrigeration

Bart: I’m glad we are pushing towards the same goal of uniformity at the local level. Letters of support written to both Director Boggs and Director Jackson who jointly chair the Council meeting might assist in our efforts.

Chuck

Director Robert J. Boggs
Ohio Department of Agriculture
8995 E. Main Street
Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068

Director Alvin D. Jackson, M.D.
Ohio Department of Health
246 N. High Street
P.O. Box 118
Columbus, Ohio 43215

From: John Henshaw
Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2010 11:10 PM
To: Kirchner, Chuck
Subject: RE: refrigeration

Chuck, You know this JOINT letter made my day. We really appreciate your work with the Health Dept. to create this. If this wording holds then there should be less confusion at the local Health Department level about Farmers’ Market vendors using coolers. I know that I can’t hold my breath until Feb. 23, is there anything that we should know or letters of support to write to the Retail Food Safety Advisory Council? Thanks again. Bart

From: Kirchner, Chuck
Sent: Friday, February 05, 2010 10:22 AM
To: John Henshaw
Cc: Lipstreu, Amalie; Gerhardt, Terri; FoodSafety
Subject: RE: refrigeration

Dear Bart: F.Y.I. A joint “letter of opinion” from the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Ohio Department of Health has been drafted and will be presented to the Retail Food Safety Advisory Council on February 23^rd. Listed below is a summary of that letter:

Cold Holding at Farmer’s Markets and at Other Non-Permanent Facilities.

This letter of opinion by the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Ohio

Department of Health is to provide clarification to OAC 3717-1-04.1 (KK) which states:

Food equipment – certification and classification

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (KK)(2) of this rule, food equipment

That is acceptable for use in a food service operation or retail food

establishment shall be approved by a recognized food equipment

testing agency.

(2) The Ohio department of agriculture, the Ohio department of health, or

The licensor may approve the use of food equipment, other than

vending machines and bulk water machines, that have not been

approved by a recognized testing agency if the equipment

demonstrates compliance with this chapter.

We believe it is appropriate to allow refrigeration equipment which has not been

approved by a recognized testing agency, and non-mechanical refrigeration (i.e. ice)

to cold hold some TCS (time/temperature control for safety) foods at time limited events,

such as farmers markets. Some examples of products that could be stored in ice are

watertight, leak-proof beverage containers and unopened impermeable commercially

packaged cheese and meats. When using mechanical refrigeration, which has not been

approved by a recognized testing agency, for items such as cream pies and shell eggs,

accurate thermometers are needed in each unit to assure the required temperature is

maintained.

Also, The Ohio Revised Code in Sections 3717.23 (B) and 3717.43 (B) requires that a

mobile retail food establishment license or a mobile food service operation license

issued by one licensor shall be recognized by all other licensors in Ohio.

I will keep you advised of the outcome of that meeting.

Sincerely,

Chuck

From: John Henshaw
Sent: Friday, February 05, 2010 8:44 AM
To: Kirchner, Chuck
Subject: refrigeration

Chuck, In my last communication with you in December you indicated that a position on refrigeration might be forthcoming by the end of January but that it would go before the JACARR hearing in February. Our members, as you know are prepared to provide testimony and evidence that non-mechanical refrigeration is as appropriate, maybe more, than mechanical refrigeration for Market use. What is the status of this issue and what is the best way for our voices to be heard? You have received at least two letters from members and there are many more waiting. Thank you for your attention.

Bart Henshaw

Farmers Market Management Network

Public Meeting On FDA Produce Safety Rule

admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:12:53 +0000

March 11, 2010
Public Meeting On FDA Produce Safety Rule. 8;30 AM -5 PM
The Blackwell Inn, 2110 Tuttle Park Place Columbus, OH 43210
614-247-4077
Contact: Caroline Hubbard, 202-687-2976
cch48@georgetown.edu
www.producesafetyproject.org.

TO REGISTER NOW, GO TO: http://www.producesafetyproject.org/discussion_series/register

WHO’S INVITED:
Fruit and vegetable growers, extension educators, food retailers, consultants, produce trade association personnel and other interested stakeholders

WHY:
The Food and Drug Administration is going to establish a nation-wide produce safety standard for the growing, harvesting and packing of fresh fruits and vegetables. Help make certain FDA has all the facts it needs. Come and join a discussion that needs to be informed by your expertise and on-the-ground knowledge

Topics addressed will include:
Compost
Wildlife/Environmental Concerns
Water Quality
Worker Health & Hygiene

Co-sponsored by the National GAPs Program at Cornell University in Rochester, NY, the Food Animal Health Research Program at the Ohio State University in Columbus, OH and the Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at the University of Maryland, the meetings will encourage a robust discussion on the science of and practical considerations for growing, harvesting and packing of fresh fruits and vegetables.

The FDA has announced its intention to publish a proposed rule by October 2010.

GAPs Online Produce Safety Course

admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 07:58:54 +0000

Do you know any farmers interested in Good Agricultural Practice training opportunities? FMC just received an announcement that the next GAPs Online Produce Safety Course will begin February 10 and will run through March 2, 2010. Each course is limited to 25 people. There will be a $50 fee for taking this course. If the course fills up, Cornell plan to offer the next course February 24, 2010.

Here is a course outline with more information about the course for those who are interested. To register, follow this link to the registration page at www.ecornell.com/gaps, check the Add to Cart Checkbox and click the Add to Cart Button. If you have any questions about the course, please contact Elizabth Bihn at eab38@cornell.edu or at 315 787 2625.

The next section dates will be posted at www.gaps.cornell.edu under Events Calendar.

Course Outline Online GAP training