Workshop for farmers on new produce safety rule

Posted 4/26/19

The R.I. Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is hosting free workshops to educate Rhode Island farmers about the new Produce Safety Rule (PSR). The PSR establishes, for the first time, …

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Workshop for farmers on new produce safety rule

Posted

The R.I. Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is hosting free workshops to educate Rhode Island farmers about the new Produce Safety Rule (PSR).

The PSR establishes, for the first time, national science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing and holding of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption. DEM’s Division of Agriculture is implementing the PSR in Rhode Island under a cooperative agreement with the federal Food and Drug Administration which includes adopting the PSR into state regulations.

DEM estimates the new rule will apply to about half of Rhode Island’s approximately 350 produce farms. Those farms with average produce sales (over the previous three years) amounting to greater than $500K are considered large, are covered by the rule, and will be inspected beginning this spring.

Farms with average produce sales (over the previous three years) that amount to between $250K to $500K (small farm) or $25K to $250K (very small farm) also are covered by the rule but may be eligible for an exemption that includes modified requirements.

Those farms with produce sales under $25K are not covered by the rule; DEM estimates that more than half – about 52 percent – of Rhode Island’s produce farms fall below this threshold.

In the East Bay, a workshop is on Thursday, May 2, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Hope & Main, 691 Main St., Warren.

Workshop topics include exemptions and exclusions under the PSR, how to apply for an exemption, record-keeping, tools for assistance, and an overview of the PSR and market access. Advance registration is requested by emailing abigail.Phillips@dem.ri.gov. For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov.

Produce Safety Rule, RIDEM

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