This multi-disciplinary project will develop practical tools to help apple growers in Vermont, Washington state and Wisconsin address related challenges in managing their operations to protect the quality of the food supply and the environment. By linking education about microbial contamination and pesticide residue, the project seeks a coherent approach to food safety education. With its linkages to Farm*A*Syst, a pollution prevention program delivered nationally by 47 state interagency programs, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM), the project will expand opportunities to deliver related messages about food safety and pollution prevention.
With funding from the CSREES Food Safety and Quality National Initiative Program, the project is carrying out these activities:
Vermont: Two checklists which are accessible on the web
Wisconsin: A three-part checklist covering microbial contamination, pesticide risks, and liability and risk management. An online version is available.
Washington: WSU Cooperative Extension is developing a self-assessment checklist especially designed for direct marketers of apples. Here is a preview of a special section in the checklist on issues relating to marketing.
Vermont: Through the summer of 2000, IPM and food safety educators solicited feedback on their materials by posting announcements on the Northeast IPM listserv and a worldwide listserv that reaches 600 apple growers, researchers, extension staff and consultants. During orchard visits in the state, growers were asked to review the IPM materials. At a March "Back-to-Basics" workshop, project staff distributed the Vermont project materials to 40 people. Feedback from these sources was critical in improving materials, and confirmed the value and usefulness of these materials.
In its regular IPM newsletter, Vermont is including sections of IPM checklist developed for this project. With each edition, readers see checklist sections that cover seasonal activities relevant to the time of year the newsletter is mailed. Over 100 Vermont apple growers along with industry personnel subscribe to the newsletter.
In the first three months since the Vermont materials were placed online in April, 534 visitors have looked at the Vermont Apple IPM Checklist and 110 have reviewed the Food Safety Checklist.
Wisconsin: Through the Summer, 2000, Wisconsin has delivered the combined food safety checklist as part of cider safety presentations in two workshops. Fifty participants received materials and surveys at a February. For a March workshop, 33 people on a mailing list were sent the same materials in advance of the workshop. Survey responses received to date indicate that growers find that the food safety checklists are easy to read and understand, and provide new and useful information.
Wisconsin has developed and distributed press releases for a state trade newsletter and county farmers market newsletter. An article published in WAGA newsletter with circulation of 200.
Washington: Extension and Farm*A*Syst staff are building a strong foundation for program development and delivery. They are partnering with direct marketing organizations such as Washington Tilth, Washington State Farmers’ Markets Association, and Pacific NW Farm Direct Marketing Association. They also are working with consumer groups such as the Food Alliance and Puget Sound Fresh that have eco-labeling programs. These partnerships will help insure high quality materials and support delivery of these tools. To further insure the quality of the materials, focus groups will be employed.
Pilot testing of materials is slated for late 2000 using workshops to be held in Pasco, Yakima, Othello, Moses Lake, Wenatchee, and Spokane.
Project staff have facilitated interaction and exchange of information among educators, researchers, growers and trade groups concerning food safety and environmental protection. In particular, they have used email and other communication channels to introduce interested parties, including other recipients of CSREES food safety grants, to project activities and materials, generate their interest, and receive their feedback. The project has used this web site and email announcements to disseminate information to educators and researchers in the food safety and Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst networks.