On-Farm Readiness Review available to growers

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture, in partnership with NC State University, has developed a proactive program designed to help farmers become compliant with the Produce Safety Rules (PSR) as part of the 2011 U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The PSR, one of the rules associated with FSMA, establishes standards for the growing, harvesting, packing and holding of fruits and vegetables. Farms that produce fresh fruits and vegetables commonly consumed raw may be subject to the PSR, although there are exemptions to the rule.

This On-Farm Readiness Review (OFRR) program has been rolled out nationwide as a voluntary and non-regulatory review of a farm’s readiness for compliance with the PSR. By participating in OFRRs, farmers obtain information and resources to help meet the requirements of the PSR and prepare for inspections. During an OFRR, a farmer has access to produce safety experts that will evaluate on-farm practices and conditions to provide feedback on what is going well and identify opportunities for improvement in food safety practices. The reviewers will provide resources to enhance produce safety practices and will suggest produce safety improvements specific to the farm.

North Carolina growers: if you are interested in participating in this program, please click here for more information. To schedule an OFFR, download and complete this form and send to:

Christopher Harris, Agriculture Program Specialist
North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
(919) 614-3082
Chris.Harris@ncagr.gov

If you have operations in South Carolina and would like additional information, contact:

Kelly Johnson, Produce Safety Manager
South Carolina Department of Agriculture
kjohnson@scda.sc.gov