Sneak Peak at This Month:

• May Produce Safety Training
• Veggie to Value Program
• Plan. Produce. Profit. - Last chance to register!
• Surveys for days!
• Job Opportunities in NWA

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May 2023 Produce Safety Training

Do you grow produce? Are you wanting to make sure you are in compliance with FDA guidelines? Join us for one of our Grower Trainings this year!

The May training will take place via zoom on May 24th & 25th from 8am to 12:30pm both days.

All participants must have access to:

Zoom video conferencing software, web camera and microphone, and stable internet connection.

Registration for the May training is open till May 17th, 2023!

Hey Food Entrepreneurs! Have a vegetable-based value-added food business idea? Need help getting started in a commercial kitchen? Then consider applying to our VEGGIE TO VALUE: A FOOD ENTREPRENEUER BOOTCAMP program for Summer 2023.

The application will close on May 30th.

NO COST TO APPLY!

Perks include:

• Pounds of FRESH and LOCAL produce supplied by Barnhill Farms

• Access to a certified commercial food processing facility and equipment

• Technical and labor assistance on food processing from an expert team

• Recipe development including ingredient and supply sourcing assistance

• Training on food safety and regulations

Requirements include:

• Dedicate 1-2 hours a week for technical assistance calls/videos to develop a recipe

• Dedicate 2-3 days at the Share Grounds kitchen in Rison, AR to develop a product

• Transportation

Surveys

The Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Team and personnel from the Northeast Center to Advance Food Safety (NECAFS) at the University of Vermont would like to understand the costs and the barriers of beginning or expanding food safety practices on farms and in packinghouses to make educational materials more relevant to fruit and vegetable growers and packers.

After completing this survey you can enter a raffle to win a $75 prepaid credit card!

Small-Scale Fruit and Vegetable Grower Perception of On-Farm Food Safety Practices

Please take 10-12 minutes to complete this survey for a University of Florida student pursuing their master's degree in Extension Education.

They state that "The findings of this study will be helpful to varied stakeholders to understand better the unique needs of small-scale growers, which aims to guide future policy and program planning related to the food safety of agricultural produce in the United States".

Fruit and Vegetable Grower Feedback Needed on Produce Safety Costs, Needs, and Barriers 

The produce safety teams from Auburn University, Alabama A&M University, and the University of Georgia would like to invite you to participate in this survey to collect information about knowledge gaps in food safety practices among indoor produce growers. 

Who should participate?

Any adult over 18 years of age who is a produce grower, harvester, packer, seller, food safety personnel, or otherwise involved in the production of fresh produce using indoor agriculture methods, including hydroponics and aquaponics.

Ag Water Program Survey

Do you irrigate produce?

Have questions about Subpart E or agricultural water?

The CONTACT team is launching an industry survey on preharvest water use as part of a successful food safety program.

Help them learn about your operation and how you use production water on the farm.

Job Opportunity

Spring Creek Food Hub, located in Springdale, AR, is now hiring for several positions! These include:

• Executive Director
• Warehouse Manager
• Food Hub Coordinator
• Value Chain/Sales Manager
• Farmer Relations Manager
• Warehouse Delivery Driver

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