PSA Working Committee #3

Teleconference

May 24, 2011 @ 12 pm

  1. Welcome

Thanks to everyone for joining a PSA Working Committee! The mission of the Produce Safety Alliance is to develop a national Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) education and training outreach program for farmers, packers, government and academic stakeholders to improve on-farm food safety practices and foster compliance with the anticipated U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fresh produce safety regulation.

  1. Introductions

On the call: Bob Blakely, Reggie Brown, Hank Giclas, David Gombas, Sharan Lanini, Brendon Miele, Kurt Nolte, Colby Rubbo, Bradley Sullivan, Kami Weddle, Mark Kogut (PSA), Betsy Bihn (PSA)

  1. Overview of Working Committee

Reviewed goals outlined on the meeting notes that were send via email.

Additional discussion points included:

Clarifying the understanding that initial emphasis for curriculum development will address the needs of small and very small scale growers/packers.

How often will the WCs meet?

  • No set # of times, but will start at once a month until chairpersons are selected.
  • Important to keep in mind the timeframes that influence the project

Timeframes for completing tasks

  • Draft curriculum by Dec 2011, so Sept/Oct for completing initial tasks of WCs

Defining small (or very small) scale grower and packer

  • Growers who only direct market (no wholesale markets)
  • As defined by the Food Safety Modernization Act (sales under $500,000)
  • Several members of WC#5 felt this definition was critical to providing guidance, suggestions, and input on this project
  • Definition likely to encompass a range of attributes

Organization of topics

  • Each WC will receive an outline of the areas that are covered by their WC as well as by other WCs
  • This outline is provided as a guide meant to encourage discussion. Areas can be added or deleted as determined by the WC

Purpose of the June Meeting

  • Review current GAPs training and education programs so that the resources can be identified and used. Target resources in areas where information is lacking
  1. Nomination of Working Committee Chairpersons

Each WC will have 2 chairpersons

Leadership requires running the WC meeting, submitting notes, organizing the calls as well as serving on Steering Committee

All meetings are via teleconference

Those interested in being chair should email Betsy ()

  • Kurt Nolte self nominated on call

PSA Exec Comm will select chairs to make sure the Steering Committee has broad representation from the produce industry

FDA personnel cannot be nominated to chair WCs

  1. Establish meeting days and times for future meetings

Mid week meetings better than Monday/Friday

Start after 12 noon EST to accommodate west coast participants

Thurs at noon is a preferential time to start with. Not third Thursday of the month.

Betsy to send doodle calendar for next meeting. Weds were not supported.