Sneak Peak at This Month:

• Meet our summer intern!
• FDA updates
• Job postings

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A Value-Added Intern!

Extension’s Local, Regional & Safe Foods team would like to welcome Kamreon Riley as our summer 2023 intern for the Veggie-to-Value Food Entrepreneur Bootcamp! Kam is an incoming senior at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where he majors in Food Science. He began working with the program in May. Kam will work with Veggie-to-Value clients through July 27th by conducting client intakes, processing test batches of initial recipes, advising on changes to recipes, assisting clients in the kitchen, maintaining records, and much more.

This boot camp will allow him to gain skills and also provide an opportunity for the three clients to develop, refine, and eventually market their food products. Much of the food processing activities take place in our Cleveland County Share Grounds kitchen in Rison and the fresh produce will be bought from Barnhill Orchards in Lonoke.

In September, the boot camp will conclude with a client and product showcase during the Cleveland County Fair, September 13th to 16th.

We are excited to offer this opportunity through USDA AMS Specialty Crop Block Grant 2021-SCBGP21SCBPAR1100-00.

To learn more about the Share Grounds, or obtain technical assistance for value-added processing or the Arkansas Food Freedom Act, please contact our Share Grounds Manager David Hill!

FDA Update

The Food Traceability Rule is designed to facilitate faster identification and rapid removal of potentially contaminated food from the market, resulting in fewer foodborne illnesses and deaths. Foods subject to the final rule requirements appear on the Food Traceability List (FTL).

The FDA has released a FAQs section along with additional tools to help with understanding of The Food Traceability Rule.

Job Opportunities

Join our team!

The Food Systems and Food Safety Program Associate provides outreach, education and technical assistance to Arkansas produce growers, community stakeholders and county extension agents for the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule and for local food system development.

Apply here!

Spring Creek Food Hub, located in Springdale, AR, is now hiring!

Farmer Relations Manager

Please send a resume and cover letter to info@springcreekfoodhub.org with the title of the position in the subject line.

Useful Links

• Free soil testing is offered in every county in Arkansas!
• Financial Assistance through USDA's Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program (FSCSC)
• Arkansas Water Resources Center - Water Quality Lab