Download or read book Food Safety for Farmers Markets A Guide to Enhancing Safety of Local Foods written by Judy A. Harrison and published by Springer. This book was released on 2017-10-20 with total page 172 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book describes practices used on farms and in farmers markets selling foods directly to consumers in U.S. and international markets. It identifies hazards associated with those practices that could put consumers at increased risk for foodborne illness. It also provides tools for identifying hazards on farms and in markets and guidance for establishing food-safe markets. The local food movement, inspired by initiatives such as the USDA’s “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food”; “Farm to School”; “Farm to Pre-school”; and “The People’s Garden”, is sweeping the country. Nowhere is this interest more evident than at farmers markets. The number of farmers markets has increased almost 400% since the early 1990s, with over 8,600 farmers markets listed in the USDA’s market directory in 2016. Many of the customers for local markets are senior adults, people who may have health concerns, and mothers with young children shopping for foods they perceive to be healthier and safer than those available in grocery stores. This means that many of the customers may be in population groups that are most at risk for foodborne illness and the serious complications that can result. In surveys, however, farmers selling directly to consumers self-reported practices that could increase risk for foodborne illnesses. These included use of raw manure as fertilizer without appropriate waiting periods between application and harvest, as outlined in the National Organic Program, a lack of sanitation training for farm workers handling produce, a lack of proper cleaning and sanitizing of surfaces that come in contact with produce, and use of untested surface water for rinsing produce before taking it to market. Surveys of market managers found that many had limited experience and most had no food safety plans for their markets. Observational studies in markets have corroborated self-reported practices that could increase foodborne illness risks, including lack of handwashing, lack of access to well-maintained toilet and handwashing facilities, use of materials that cannot be cleaned and sanitized appropriately, and lack of temperature control for foods that must have time and temperature controlled for safety. These potential food safety risks are not only seen in U.S. farmers markets, but also have been identified in international markets. This book is unique in that it provides evidence-based information about food safety hazards and potential risks associated with farmers markets. It presents an overview of farm and market practices and offers guidance for enhancing food safety on farms and in markets for educators, farmers, producers, vendors and market managers. Dr. Judy A. Harrison is a Professor in the Department of Foods and Nutrition at the University of Georgia (UGA) where she has been named a Walter Bernard Hill Fellow for distinguished achievement in public service and outreach. Serving as a food safety specialist for UGA Cooperative Extension, she has provided 25 years of food safety education for a variety of audiences across the food system.

Download or read book Food Safety Guide for Colorado Farmers Market Vendors written by and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 1 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book A Comprehensive Food Safety Assessment of Farmers Markets in Pennsylvania written by Joshua Scheinberg and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Since the colonial era, farmers in the U. S. have utilized a constantly changing system of markets to barter, sell, and distribute their farmed goods to the local populace. Today, farmers' markets have replaced old-world style markets providing more than just local produce. Since the late 1970's, farmers' markets in the U. S. have experienced an exponential growth with over 8,200 farmers' markets operating in the U. S. today. As farmers' markets have increased in size, scope, and complexity in the kinds of foods sold at these venues, so has the potential food safety risks. Today, farmers' markets provide thousands of farmers in Pennsylvania and hundreds of thousands in the U. S. an economic opportunity to sell their agricultural products outside of the conventional commercial markets, while also allowing them control during harvesting, processing, packaging, transportation, and final sale of their products, from farm to fork. While the economic and social impacts of farmers' markets are no doubt important and positive, previous observational, survey, and microbiological research of farmers' markets in various regions of North American have revealed that in many cases, farmers' market vendors can lack important knowledge and experience in food safety practices and behaviors. These studies have also observed vendors performing high-risk retail food safety behaviors, and identified the presence of both hygiene indicator and pathogenic bacteria on select produce, meat, and dairy products. Throughout the past decade, numerous outbreaks and recalls associated with farmers' market sold food products also have been reported, further highlighting the food safety implications of farmers' markets. While these incidents have yet to cause mass public illness or capture national media attention, there is a great potential for a single food safety incident to jeopardize the farmers' market movement, toppling a billion dollar industry, endangering the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of farmers' in the U. S., and causing illnesses and potential deaths of consumers. To date, several studies have evaluated specific elements of farmers' market food safety, such as consumer preferences and vendor behaviors, however no one study has used multiple research tools to identify food safety gaps in the same setting. Training programs for farmers' market vendors also have been developed, however, current available programs may not be focused specifically on food safety, may not be validated scientifically, and content may not be based on actual farmers' market vendor needs. To date, no current training program has been developed to address the specific and unique needs of Pennsylvanian farmers' markets and vendors. Therefore the purpose of this study is to assess the unique food safety issues related to farmers' markets and vendors in Pennsylvania through a comprehensive food safety needs assessment, and based on the results, develop and pilot-test a new customized food safety training program for farmers' market vendors in Pennsylvania. The comprehensive food safety assessment was accomplished using five tools: 1) the use of direct concealed observations of farmers' market vendors in the retail setting; 2) farmers' market vendor exploratory, knowledge and attitudinal surveys; 3) Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture inspector observational surveys; 4) market manager structured group interviews; and 5) microbiological sampling and analysis of produce, beef, and pork products obtained from Pennsylvania farmers' markets. An overall comparison and compilation of results from each research tool identified key risk factors and gaps in food safety knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Specifically, the microbiological assessment demonstrated that a proportion of select produce and meat obtained from farmers' markets in Pennsylvania was of questionable microbiological quality, due to the presence of fecal coliforms, E. coli, and Listeria spp. Further analysis also suggested that E. coli isolated from meat and produce had unique phylotypic properties and few isolates exhibited potential pathogenic properties. Results of the observational and survey portions of the assessment revealed that a lack of knowledge and improper behaviors performed by vendors related to hand washing, glove use, thermometer use, packaging use, and cross-contamination, were important risk factors which could be addressed through education and training. Based on those results, it was determined that food safety training for farmers' market vendors in Pennsylvania could address food safety knowledge and behavior gaps, potentially leading to safer foods sold at farmers' markets. Guided by the preferences collected from vendor surveys, the FDA Food Code, and applicable Pennsylvania food safety regulations, a training program consisting of a comprehensive food safety resource guide and associated interactive 3-hour PowerPoint presentation was developed and piloted in several cities across Pennsylvania. Using a pre- and post-test knowledge and attitudinal assessment, it was determined that the piloted training program produced significant increases in knowledge and positive changes in attitudes among vendor participants. The overall results of this study demonstrated that a customized, in-person training program, specifically designed to address gaps identified through a comprehensive needs assessment, is an effective strategy for improving the food safety knowledge and changing the attitudes of farmers' market vendors in Pennsylvania. Future use of this training program in Pennsylvania and in neighboring states, could serve to further support and sustain the current farmers' market movement in the U. S., while ensuring public safety and the success of individual vendors.

Download or read book Ensuring Safe Food written by Committee to Ensure Safe Food from Production to Consumption and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 1998-09-02 with total page 209 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How safe is our food supply? Each year the media report what appears to be growing concern related to illness caused by the food consumed by Americans. These food borne illnesses are caused by pathogenic microorganisms, pesticide residues, and food additives. Recent actions taken at the federal, state, and local levels in response to the increase in reported incidences of food borne illnesses point to the need to evaluate the food safety system in the United States. This book assesses the effectiveness of the current food safety system and provides recommendations on changes needed to ensure an effective science-based food safety system. Ensuring Safe Food discusses such important issues as: What are the primary hazards associated with the food supply? What gaps exist in the current system for ensuring a safe food supply? What effects do trends in food consumption have on food safety? What is the impact of food preparation and handling practices in the home, in food services, or in production operations on the risk of food borne illnesses? What organizational changes in responsibility or oversight could be made to increase the effectiveness of the food safety system in the United States? Current concerns associated with microbiological, chemical, and physical hazards in the food supply are discussed. The book also considers how changes in technology and food processing might introduce new risks. Recommendations are made on steps for developing a coordinated, unified system for food safety. The book also highlights areas that need additional study. Ensuring Safe Food will be important for policymakers, food trade professionals, food producers, food processors, food researchers, public health professionals, and consumers.

Download or read book Farmers Markets Guidelines written by and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Local Food Systems Concepts Impacts and Issues written by Steve Martinez and published by DIANE Publishing. This book was released on 2010-11 with total page 87 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This comprehensive overview of local food systems explores alternative definitions of local food, estimates market size and reach, describes the characteristics of local consumers and producers, and examines early indications of the economic and health impacts of local food systems. Defining ¿local¿ based on marketing arrangements, such as farmers selling directly to consumers at regional farmers¿ markets or to schools, is well recognized. Statistics suggest that local food markets account for a small, but growing, share of U.S. agricultural production. For smaller farms, direct marketing to consumers accounts for a higher percentage of their sales than for larger farms. Charts and tables.

Download or read book Research Anthology on Food Waste Reduction and Alternative Diets for Food and Nutrition Security written by Management Association, Information Resources and published by IGI Global. This book was released on 2020-09-17 with total page 1318 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The world population is expected to increase exponentially within the next decade, which means that the food demand will increase and so will waste production. The increasing demand for food as well as changes in consumption habits have led to the greater availability and variety of food with a longer shelf life. However, there is a need for effective food waste management and food preservation as wasted food leads to overutilization of water and fossil fuels and increasing greenhouse gas emissions from the degradation of food. The Research Anthology on Food Waste Reduction and Alternative Diets for Food and Nutrition Security explores methods for reducing waste and cutting food loss in order to help the environment and support local communities as well as solve issues including that of land space. It also provides vital research on the development of plant-based foods, meat-alternative diets, and nutritional outcomes. Highlighting a range of topics such as agricultural production, food supply chains, and sustainable diets, this publication is an ideal reference source for policymakers, sustainable developers, politicians, ecologists, environmentalists, corporate executives, farmers, and academicians seeking current research on food and nutrition security.

Download or read book Advanced Fuzzy Logic Approaches in Engineering Science written by Ram, Mangey and published by IGI Global. This book was released on 2018-09-14 with total page 507 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Fuzzy logic techniques have had extraordinary growth in various engineering systems. The developments in engineering sciences have caused apprehension in modern years due to high-tech industrial processes with ever-increasing levels of complexity. Advanced Fuzzy Logic Approaches in Engineering Science provides innovative insights into a comprehensive range of soft fuzzy logic techniques applied in various fields of engineering problems like fuzzy sets theory, adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system, and hybrid fuzzy logic genetic algorithms belief networks in industrial and engineering settings. The content within this publication represents the work of particle swarms, fuzzy computing, and rough sets. It is a vital reference source for engineers, research scientists, academicians, and graduate-level students seeking coverage on topics centered on the applications of fuzzy logic in high-tech industrial processes.

Download or read book Food Safety at Farmers Markets and Agritourism Venues written by Desmond Ansel Jolly and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page 40 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Farmer s Market Food Safety Resource Guide written by Joshua A. Scheinberg and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Ensuring the safety of food is one of the most important responsibilities for anyone who harvests, processes, prepares, and/or sells food."--PennState Extension website.

Download or read book Effective Education on Consumers Food Safety Knowledge Perceptions and Behaviors at Local Area Farmers Markets written by Molly Louise Albin and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 56 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Although extensive research has been conducted to understand consumers' knowledge of food safety risks, there is a lack of research on consumers' knowledge, perceptions, and behaviors towards risks associated with locally grown, processed, and manufactured foods sold at farmers' markets. Recently, there has been a movement toward purchasing local foods to support local economies, out of concern for food miles, or because of a perception of higher quality goods. In Tennessee, the number of farmers' markets has doubled in five years. Furthermore, previous research determined food safety education is most effective if developed with input from the target audience. The purpose of this research was to determine what, if any, food safety concerns, misconceptions, and current practiced behaviors exist amongst a targeted population of consumers who purchase locally grown, processed, and/or manufactured food commodities in a farmers' market setting. An instrument was developed and tested at a separate farmers' market location. Screener questions were included for demographics and shopping frequency. Purchasing habits of perishable foods were used to determine participant qualification for the full survey. The survey instrument addressed commonly purchased goods, reasons for shopping at farmers markets, food safety knowledge, common misconceptions, and general disposition towards food safety. Data were collected during 6 markets from July--October (n=27) and analyzed to determine misconceptions. Eighty-nine percent of consumers believed "it is important or very important to purchase goods at farmers markets to avoid pesticides and other chemicals". Additionally, 88.8% thought harmful bacteria grows in ≤2 hours in foods held between 40-140°F, yet only 13.0% of the 85.2% who planned on purchasing perishable goods brought a cooler or insulated bag indicating a knowledge gap exists on the relationship between harmful bacterial growth and how long perishable goods are left out. The results of this study suggest that even though food safety educational material exists, somehow the material is not reaching some consumers. Consumers at farmers' markets need to be further studied to improve their understanding of safe food handling at farmers' markets, organic classification, pesticide use, the relationship between time and temperature, and proper planning for perishable food purchases.

Download or read book Running a Food Hub Volume Two a Business Operations Guide written by James Matson and published by Government Printing Office. This book was released on 2015-09-17 with total page 84 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report is part of a multi-volume technical report series entitled, Running a Food Hub, with this guide serving as a companion piece to other United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports by providing in-depth guidance on starting and running a food hub enterprise. In order to compile the most current information on best management and operations practices, the authors used published information on food hubs, surveyed numerous operating food hubs, and pulled from their existing experience and knowledge of working directly with food hubs across the country as an agricultural business consulting firm. The report’s main focus is on the operational issues faced by food hubs, including choosing an organizational structure, choosing a location, deciding on infrastructure and equipment, logistics and transportation, human resources, and risks. As such, the guide explores the different decision points associated with the organizational steps for starting and implementing a food hub. For some sections, sidebars provide “decision points,” which food hub managers will need to address to make key operational decisions. This illustrated guide may assist the operational staff at small businesses or third-party organizations that may provide aggregation, marketing, and distribution services from local and regional producers to assist with wholesale, retail, and institution demand at government institutions, colleges/universities, restaurants, grocery store chains, etc. Undergraduate students pursuing coursework for a bachelor of science degree in food science, or agricultural economics may be interested in this guide. Additionally, this reference work will be helpful to small businesses within the food trade discipline.

Download or read book Agriculture Rural Development Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations for 2016 Food and Drug Administration Farm Credit Administration Commodity Futures Trading Commission written by United States. Congress. House. Committee on Appropriations. Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 1084 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Agriculture Rural Development Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations for 2016 written by United States. Congress. House. Committee on Appropriations. Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 1084 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Make It Safe written by CSIRO Food and Nutritional Sciences, and published by CSIRO PUBLISHING. This book was released on 2010-05-06 with total page 296 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: All people involved with preparation of food for the commercial or retail market need a sound understanding of the food safety risks associated with their specific products and, importantly, how to control these risks. Failure to control food safety hazards can have devastating consequences for not only the consumer, but also the food manufacturer. Make It Safe provides practical guidance on how to control food safety hazards, with a specific focus on controls suitable for small-scale businesses to implement. Small businesses make up around two-thirds of businesses in Australia’s food and beverage manufacturing industry. This book is aimed at those small-scale businesses already in or considering entering food manufacture. Those already operating a small business will develop a better understanding of key food safety systems, while those who are in the ‘start-up’ phase will gain knowledge essential to provide their business with a solid food safety foundation while also learning about Australian food regulations relevant to food safety. The content will also be useful for students studying food technology or hospitality who wish to seek employment in the manufacturing industry or are planning on establishing their own manufacturing operation. Illustrated in full colour throughout, Make It Safe outlines the major food safety hazards – microbial, chemical and physical – which must be controlled when manufacturing all types of food products. The control of microbial hazards is given special emphasis as this is the greatest challenge to food manufacturers. Topics covered include: premises, equipment, staff, product recipes, raw ingredients, preparation, processing, packaging, shelf-life, labelling and food recalls. Key messages are highlighted at the end of each chapter.

Download or read book Retail Best Practices and Guide to Food Safety and Sanitation written by David McSwane and published by Prentice Hall. This book was released on 2003 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: PLEASE PROVIDE COURSE INFORMATION PLEASE PROVIDE

Download or read book Farmers Market written by Karen L. B. Gast and published by . This book was released on 1997 with total page 3 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: