FDA Publishes New Agricultural Water Resources

September 30th, 2025

FDA Publishes New Agricultural Water Resources

On September 30, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted additional materials to support growers, regulators, and other stakeholders in implementing the pre-harvest agricultural water provisions of the Produce Safety Rule (PSR).  Specifically, the FDA has issued a Constituent Update, posted several frequently asked questions (FAQs), and provided information about implementation activities.

The FDA developed the FAQs based on questions received during interactions with stakeholders to support farms with the implementation of the pre-harvest agricultural water requirements of the PSR, covering the following topics:

  • Inspection and maintenance of agricultural water systems,
  • Pre-harvest agricultural water assessments (including testing as part of an assessment and assessment outcomes),
  • Harvest and post-harvest agricultural water requirements,
  • Corrective and mitigation measures, and
  • Agricultural water treatment.

The FDA has also released updated information about how it plans to implement the pre-harvest agricultural water provisions of the PSR, including education, training, technical assistance, and collaboration with state regulators, educators, and industry partners. The development of the forthcoming best practices document for managing agricultural water was noted as an example of collaboration with industry.

To see the full Constituent Update, click here

To access the FQAs, click here

For more details on implementation activities, click here

If you have any questions, reach out to Sonia Salas at [email protected]

 

 

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FDA Updates Information Sharing for Foodborne Outbreaks and Investigations 

September 30th, 2025

Earlier this month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a significant shift toward greater data transparency in its handling of foodborne illness investigations. The agency will now routinely publish Executive Incident Summary (EIS) Abstracts and Foodborne Outbreak Overview of Data (FOOD) Reports once an investigation is complete. 

Executive Incident Summary (EIS) Abstracts 

Once a foodborne illness investigation is concluded (i.e. no ongoing public health risk), the FDA will publish EIS Abstracts summarizing the investigation’s findings. These abstracts, that are made by the FDA’s Coordinated Outbreak Response & Evaluation (CORE) teams, include high-level descriptions of: 

  • Traceback activities 
  • Lab / microbial testing 
  • Epidemiological findings 
  • Prevention or mitigation lessons 
  • It is worth noting that trade secrets and identifiable information will not be shown in these abstracts. 

To Access these abstracts, you can follow these steps 

  • Find the “closed investigation” towards the bottom of the page, after the “open investigations” table 
  • Click on the Reference # for the investigation, a PDF file should pop-out or be downloaded into your computer containing the Abstract. 

FOOD Reports 

FOOD Reports dig deeper. They are retrospective, data-driven analyses focusing on pathogen–commodity pairs with repeated association in outbreaks. For example, in its initial releases, FDA released FOOD Reports on: 

  • Hepatitis A outbreaks tied to berries 
  • Salmonella outbreaks linked to tahini 

Access the reports here: https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/foodborne-outbreak-overview-data-food-reports  

The FDA’s expanded transparency through EIS Abstracts and FOOD Reports is a positive step that gives the produce industry valuable insights to strengthen practices and demonstrate proactive engagement with regulators. At the same time, stakeholders should remain cautious: these abstracts are summaries rather than full root-cause reports, and they may not contain all the information. The best path forward is to embrace these resources as a tool for continuous improvement while carefully contextualizing their findings.  

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The Agricultural Expert Panel Meeting Regarding Fertilizer Applications for Irrigated Agriculture Needs Your Input

September 29th, 2025

The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) will hold two public working group sessions for the Second Statewide Agricultural Expert Panel this October. The sessions are scheduled for Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The agenda for Monday, Oct. 13 has been set and can be viewed here.

The meetings will support the panel’s deliberations on issues tied to its charge questions, including the approaches outlined in two significant orders:

  1. State Water Board Order WQ 2018-0002, In the Matter of Review of Waste Discharge Requirements General Order No. R5-2012-0116 for Growers Within the Eastern San Joaquin River Watershed that are Members of the Third-Party Group (Eastern San Joaquin Petition Order)
  2. and State Water Board Order WQ 2023-0081, In the Matter of Review of General Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges from Irrigated Lands Order No. R3-2021-0040 (Central Coast Ag Petition Order).

The sessions are open to the public, offering an opportunity to follow the Panel’s review process and provide transparency as experts consider the effectiveness of current regulatory approaches.

For more information, including details on how to participate, click here or email [email protected].

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Failure Not Required 

September 30th, 2025

There is a common misconception that clear and direct failure must occur before a food safety outbreak.  While failures can happen – and they often do – many outbreaks have occurred in companies with robust food safety programs and well-executed compliance records.  In short, there was no obvious source of failure, and only a history of compliant programs.  In these outbreak scenarios, gaps are looked for in programs, claims are made that this could/should have been caught by the system, and, after the storm, many assume lightning won’t strike again. It was just a fluke – a rare event caused by a rare sequence of events that we won’t likely see again.  

It is tempting to believe that a perfectly executed food safety system will always prevent adverse events from happening. But that assumption is too simplistic. Compliance systems are not designed to capture dynamic risk. Why would they? They were designed to show regulatory compliance, program adherence, and foundational food safety elements around which a company produces food. These compliance systems are critically important. They provide consistency across the food industry, provide common language and systems to teach and implement, and they provide a solid foundation on which to customize systems. Despite their inherent value, they are not optimized to catch, stop, or mitigate all types of risks, especially those that are not easily anticipated. They are designed to build structure and compliance systems on which we can then design risk-based management upon.  

Food, in theory, should always be safe. When it isn’t, the simplest leap is often to assume that something in the system failed. Realistically, it’s a bit more complicated than that. Reducing outbreaks and adverse food safety events into “something must have failed” narratives inadvertently create blind spots in risk management. In these blind spots, we fail to recognize that many of our compliance systems are exemplary at proving compliance to the routine and understood but are often inadequate at managing dynamic, poorly understood risks within the production environment.  There are scenarios where failures in compliance programs lead to outbreaks, but far too often what happens is a number of factors combine, many of which are not monitored, and the perfect storm occurs. Believing another storm will not occur lacks foresight and predisposes businesses to unnecessary risk.   

Food safety regulations and standards have evolved over the past decades to help companies build and enforce compliance across their operations. Audits play a critical role in this framework – they identify gaps in the moment, and over time, those observations build a picture for where increased efforts are needed. But common compliance systems were never designed to address rapidly changing risks in food production environments. They just weren’t built for that. And increasingly, we’re learning that rapidly shifting risk plays a large part in adverse food safety events, especially in fresh produce. Addressing these dynamic risks requires more than checklists and additional audits. It’s time to build new systems and tools on top of the current compliance-oriented food safety system our industry relies on.  

Different challenges require different resources and approaches. If we truly want to reduce residual risk in the system, we must design for that goal instead of stretching systems built for a different (albeit important) purpose. At Western Growers we are working on connecting the fields of produce food safety compliance with dynamic risk management – enhancing the industry’s best practices and turning meaningful metrics into predictive systems for risk mitigation and management. Can we stop the storm? That’s the goal. But first, we sure would settle for getting a head start on knowing that it is coming. 

Interested in our efforts? Join us. 

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Fresh Produce Industry Leaders Release Groundbreaking Roadmap for Sustainable Packaging

September 30th, 2025

IRVINE, CALIF. & OTTAWA, ON – September 30, 2025 – The Sustainable Produce Packaging Alignment (SPPA), a consortium of North American fresh produce industry leaders, today announced the publication of its “Roadmap to Sustainable Fresh Produce Packaging: A Guide to Reducing Food Waste, Mitigating Emissions, and Enabling Sustainable Fresh Produce Supply Chains.” This pivotal guide aims to create a unified, industry-wide approach to more functional, economical, and sustainable packaging.

A diverse group of fresh produce industry experts developed the roadmap, spearheaded by Western Growers and the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA), supported by Qfresh Lab. The roadmap confronts the complex and often contradictory challenges facing the fresh produce sector, including a fragmented regulatory landscape, contradictory buyer requirements, and the performance gap between conventional and alternative packaging materials.

A central theme of the report is the concept of “Functional Sustainability,” which advocates for a holistic evaluation of packaging based on its performance throughout the entire supply chain, rather than focusing predominantly on its end-of-life disposal. The authors argue that a narrow focus on recyclability or compostability can paradoxically increase food waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

“The fresh produce industry is at a critical inflection point, and this roadmap provides a much-needed, science-based path forward,” said Dennis Nuxoll, Vice President, Federal Government Affairs at Western Growers. “It champions the principle that the most sustainable package is the one that effectively prevents food waste. By prioritizing functionality, we safeguard the immense environmental resources invested in growing fresh produce and ensure it reaches the consumer safely and with the highest quality.”

The roadmap details the significant risks posed by incongruent regulations and market requirements, which can lead to supply chain inefficiencies, increased costs for growers, and negative environmental outcomes. It calls for a shift in perspective, urging the industry, retailers, and policymakers to recognize that packaging plays a critical role in ensuring food safety and extending shelf life.

“Collaboration and harmonization are essential to navigating the current landscape,” stated Ron Lemaire, President, Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA). “This roadmap provides a framework for the entire supply chain to work together on pragmatic, aligned policies. It’s about moving beyond single-issue debates and toward integrated solutions that deliver genuine environmental and economic benefits. By advocating for policies like Extended Producer Responsibility schemes that recognize and prioritize the reduction of food waste, we can drive meaningful change.”

Key recommendations from the “Roadmap to Sustainable Fresh Produce Packaging” include:

  • Committing to Functional Sustainability: Prioritizing a package’s ability to protect and preserve the food it contains as the most critical element of its sustainability.
  • Driving Targeted Innovation: Investing in new materials and technologies tailored to the specific needs of different produce commodity groups.
  • Advocating for Pragmatic Policy: Working collectively for science-based regulations that reward positive environmental outcomes, such as reduced food waste.

The roadmap also introduces a novel approach of grouping fresh produce commodities by shared functional requirements (Robust, Resilient, Delicate, and Highly Perishable) to promote innovation and enhance supply chain efficiency. “Packaging functionality, throughout its life, must be considered in any sustainable packaging offering. Sustainable packaging alternatives must look at both the end-of-life strategy as well as the requirements of that package throughout the entire supply chain. You cannot compromise the packaging functionality for the end-of-life strategy,” stated Jeff Brandenburg, Founder of Qfresh Lab.

The next steps for this work include the development of supplementary materials that dive into critical topics in sustainable fresh produce packaging.

The SPPA was formed to align the industry on scientifically sound, achievable, and sustainable fresh produce packaging guidelines for North America. The full “Roadmap to Sustainable Fresh Produce Packaging” is available for industry stakeholders.

To read the full report, please click here.

For more information, please contact:

Micken Kokonya

Manager, Communications and Market Research

Canadian Produce Marketing Association

[email protected]

(613) 769-8742

Ann Donahue

Director, Marketing and Communications

Western Growers

[email protected]

(949) 302-7600

About the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA): Based in Ottawa, Ontario, CPMA is a not-for-profit organization that represents a diverse membership of companies and organizations that are responsible for 90% of the fresh fruit and vegetable sales in Canada. CPMA is a leader in providing advocacy, networking and educational opportunities for its members.

About Western Growers: Founded in 1926, Western Growers represents local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in Arizona, California, Colorado and New Mexico. Our members and their workers provide over half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including nearly half of America’s fresh organic produce.

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Best Practices: Tips For Stopping Harassing Conduct

September 25th, 2025

California law requires employers regularly employing 50 or more persons (or regularly receiving the services of 50 or more persons providing services pursuant to a contract) to provide prevention of abusive conduct as a component of its anti-harassment training and education requirements targeted at all employees.  

Abusive conduct means “conduct of an employer or employee in the workplace, with malice, that a reasonable person would find hostile, offensive, and unrelated to an employer’s legitimate business interests.” Abusive conduct can take many forms such as “repeated infliction of verbal abuse, such as the use of derogatory remarks, insults, and epithets, verbal or physical conduct that a reasonable person would find threatening, intimidating, or humiliating, or the gratuitous sabotage or undermining of a person’s work performance.” No one single act can be considered abusive conduct unless it is especially severe and egregious. Abusive conduct is not legally actionable unless it is associated with a protected classification (e.g., race, religion, pregnancy, gender, sex, national origin, etc.). 

To help prevent abusive conduct, employers should consider the following: 

  • Promote inclusion and civility as a means of creating a more civil and respectful work environment.  
  • Don’t fall into the “high performer trap” believing that the bad behavior of top performers justifies turning a blind eye to abusive or unlawful conduct.  
  • Don’t let instances of rude or abusive conduct go unaddressed as this can negatively impact morale and lead to an overall change in company culture. 
  • Train employees on both California law and your own company policies. Focus on duties and responsibilities especially when it comes to reporting unacceptable conduct that is either witnessed or reported.  
  • Take the opportunity during one-on-one or group meetings to reemphasis the importance of creating and maintaining a culture of respect and civility.  

Ensure your team receives the essential anti-harassment training required by California law and foster a more respectful workplace. Western Growers University offers comprehensive anti-harassment training for both employees and supervisors—available to members at cost, with bilingual options to meet the needs of your diverse workforce.  

Act Now! Contact Western Growers University to schedule your training and support a safer, more inclusive work environment for everyone. 

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Colorado Clarifies Limitations Period for Wage Claims

September 25th, 2025

In the recent case, By the Rockies, LLC v. Perez, the Colorado Supreme Court clarified that the state’s statute of limitations for claims under the Minimum Wage Act is two years, extended to three years for a willful violation. The decision settles a split among the state’s courts and provides clarity for employers because the Minimum Wage Act is silent on the issue of limitations.  

The controversy began when the plaintiff filed a wage and hour claim against their former employer five years after the alleged Minimum Wage Act violations occurred. Initially, the lower court concluded that the two- or three-year limitations period set forth in the state’s Wage Claim Act applied. A later ruling by the Court of Appeals revered this decision concluding that a default statutory period of six-years applied because the claim sought to recover a “liquidated debt or an unliquidated, determinable amount of money” under the Minimum Wage Act. Given the split between the courts and the fact that the Minimum Wage Act contains no statute of limitations language, the Court stepped in to settle the question of which statute of limitations applies.  

In reaching its decision, the Court explained that the two statutes – The Minimum Wage Act and the Wage Claim Act – should be construed together as they are part of a comprehensive scheme addressing the same subject matter (e.g., payment of wages). According to the Court, “[a]pplying the limitations period from the Wage Claim Act to claims brought under the Minimum Wage Act harmonizes the entire statutory scheme.”  

The Court also took a commonsense approach, finding that the application of a six-year statute of limitations would conflict with the state’s Minimum Wage Order requirements that employers maintain payroll records for three years. In addition, application of the two- or three-year statute of limitations also effectuates the Colorado legislature’s intent that the state’s wage laws generally align with the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) statutory scheme. 

A few best practices to keep in mind: 

  • Maintain Accurate Payroll Records: Be sure to maintain detailed and accurate payroll records for at least three years, as required by Colorado’s Minimum Wage Order. This not only supports compliance with recordkeeping requirements but also provides crucial documentation in the event of a wage dispute. 
  • Align Internal Policies with State and Federal Laws: Regularly review and update wage and hour policies to reflect changes in state and federal laws. This proactive approach demonstrates good faith compliance and reduces the likelihood of inadvertent violations. 

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Form I-94 Fee Increases to $30, Effective September 30

September 25th, 2025

On September 30, 2025, the fee for filing Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, increases to a total of $30. The new fee structure combines the longstanding $6 processing fee with an additional $24 fee mandated by the budget reconciliation legislation (H.R. 1). 

These fees apply only to applications and enrollments on or after September 30, 2025. Only land border entries are subject to the charge; U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will not assess the I-94 fee for air or sea arrivals. Importantly, there is no exception for H-2A workers, meaning agricultural employers should expect the increased cost for workers entering at land ports of entry. 

In addition, the new H.R. 1 fees cannot be waived, and beginning in fiscal year 2026, they will adjust annually for inflation. Employers remain responsible for reimbursing inbound travel expenses, including the I-94 fee, typically no later than the first workweek. 

Members with questions about the I-94 fee increase or related reimbursement obligations should contact the Western Growers H-2A Services Team.

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IR-4 Project Workshop Sets Pest Management Priorities with WG Input

September 25th, 2025

On September 9-11, 2025, the IR-4 Project hosted its annual priority setting workshop in Denver. Western Growers staff were on hand to help ensure that our members’ priorities were included in this year’s outcomes. We appreciate the expertise from Western Growers members and their trusted Pest Control Advisors to guide our efforts.

Some upcoming projects we look forward to will provide much needed registration and residue work for crops, including weed and thrip control in onions, aphid control in potato, lace bug control in avocado, Phytophthora control in strawberry, husk split control in pecan and fusarium control in onion.

Follow this link for more information on IR-4: https://www.ir4project.org/ or reach out to Western Growers staff to share your latest pest pressures so we can advocate for new control opportunities.

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Agenda for Public Listening Session of Second Statewide Agricultural Expert Panel on Oct. 1

September 25th, 2025

The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) will hold the first public listening session of the Second Statewide Agricultural Expert Panel on Wednesday, October 1 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.  PST.

The Meeting Agenda can be found here: https://waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/agriculture/docs/2025/10012025-agenda-listening-session1-ag-expert-panel.pdf.

For additional questions, please email [email protected]. 

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Oriental Fruit Fly Quarantine (OFF) and Mediterranean Fruit Fly Quarantine Boundaries

September 23rd, 2025

An Oriental Fruit Fly (OFF) Quarantine Boundary has been established for the San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, Jurupa Valley Area.

The OFF has been recorded to impact 478 kinds of fruit and vegetables, including apricot, banana, citrus, coffee, fig, guava, loquat, mango, roseapple, papaya, passion fruit, peach, pear, persimmon, pineapple, surinam cherry and tomato. The PDF with species list can be found here.

  • The adult oriental fruit fly is somewhat larger than a housefly, about 8 mm in length. The body color is variable but generally bright yellow with a dark “T” shaped marking on the abdomen. The wings are clear. The female has a pointed slender ovipositor to deposit eggs under the skin of host fruit. Eggs are minute cylinders laid in batches. The maggots (larvae) are creamy-white, legless, and may attain a length of 10 mm inside host fruit.
  • Pest Profile

A Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Med Fly) Quarantine Boundary has been established for the Santa Clara County, San Jose Area.

The Med Fly has been recorded to impact crops include apple, apricot, avocado, bell pepper, carambola, coffee, dates, fig, grape, grapefruit, guava, lemon, lime, loquat, lychee, mango, nectarine, orange, papaya, peach, pear, persimmon, plum, pomegranate, pummelo, quince, sapote, tangerine, tomato, and walnut.

  • The Mediterranean fruit fly is a short, squat fly about 1/4 inch in length. It has a blackish thorax marked with silver; a tan abdomen with darker stripes extending across the abdomen; and clear wings with two light brown bands across the wing, another along the distal front edge, and gray flecks scattered near the base. The immature stages are superficially similar to those of other invasive fruit flies. Eggs are white, very small, elongate, and somewhat banana-shaped. Larvae are white, legless, and somewhat carrot-shaped. The pupa is contained inside an elongate oval, shiny brown, hard puparium.
  • Pest Profile

For CDFA email updates on specific species, sign up here.*

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Register Today: Harvest Automation Tech Exploration Virtual Event

September 25th, 2025

Save the date!

Western Growers has partnered with Plug and Play to spotlight one of the most pressing challenges facing agriculture today: harvest automation.

Join us on Thursday, October 9, 2025, for an online event, Harvest Automation Tech Exploration, where industry leaders and innovators will showcase solutions that can help growers reduce costs, address labor shortages and move closer to a more automated future.

Did you know …? Growers spent $16.3 billion on 850 million hours of farmworker activities last year, in which two-thirds of that time was dedicated to harvesting crops?

Western Growers is working with partners like Plug and Play to accelerate the research, development and commercialization of harvest automation technologies that can help fill this gap.

This session will feature:

  • A keynote by Connie Bowen (Farmhand Ventures)
  • A startup showcase, featuring cutting-edge automation solutions
  • Insights into technologies that deliver ROI today while building toward long-term automation goals

Plug and Play’s scouting team is actively identifying promising technologies in robotics, AI, imaging and advanced machinery designed to make harvesting more efficient and sustainable. This is a unique opportunity for growers to listen in, ask questions and gain early exposure to solutions shaping industry.

Event Details

When: Thursday, October 9, 2025, 4 p.m. – 5:40 p.m. CST / 2 p.m. – 3:40 p.m. PST

Where: Online. Register here.

All Western Growers members are encouraged to attend.

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Western Growers Welcomes Isa and Zoila to the WG Science Team

September 24th, 2025

The WG Science Team welcomes Isa and Zoila, to support sustainable fresh produce packaging and fresh produce food safety work.

Zoila Chevez has joined Western Growers as a Data Analyst Research Associate, supporting the development and implementation of data-driven research programs focused on produce safety. She recently earned her Ph.D. in Horticulture with a focus on fresh produce safety from Auburn University, bringing over five years of research experience to the field. Previously, she gained industry experience as a Food Safety intern with the International Fresh Produce Association.

Isa Glassen has joined Western Growers as the Sustainable Produce Packaging Assistant. She supports the Sustainable Produce Packaging Alignment (SPPA) initiative by conducting market research on packaging materials and trends, developing outreach materials and guidelines to help align industry partners with circular economy and sustainability goals, and coordinating workshops and working groups. Isa recently graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a degree in Environmental Management and Protection and brings experience in environmental communication, nonprofit program coordination, and resource management.

Western Growers looks forward to working with Zoila Chavez and Isa Glassen to support our members and the fresh produce industry toward a healthy, sustainable, and profitable future.

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From the Western Growers Science Library: Transition Resources 

September 23rd, 2025

This article marks the latest installment of our “From the Western Growers Science Library” series. In this edition, we highlight Transition Resources, collection of Western Growers’ materials and other key industry resources to support leafy greens stakeholders during critical seasonal shifts. 

These transitions are critical times for growers, shippers, and handlers as production shifts between regions, often under varying environmental and operational conditions that can influence both crop quality and food safety. 

The Seasonality and Transition Periods Resource Page brings together guidance, tools, and science-based insights to help industry professionals anticipate challenges, manage risks, and maintain continuity during these complex periods. Developed by the Western Growers Science team, this resource page hub emphasizes proactive planning, data-driven decision-making, and practical strategies that can be adapted across diverse production systems. 

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WG Survey Seeks Grower Input on USMCA’s Trade Impact

September 23rd, 2025

If your company has business in Mexico and/or Canada, or general interest in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), please respond to this Western Growers Trade Survey by October 20.

Why take this Survey?

Western Growers advocates for fair market access and standards for our member products. The Trump Administration is requesting public input for its review of USMCA now through November 3. WG will be responding and needs your input to guide our advocacy.

Fresh produce trade between the U.S., Mexico and Canada totaled $7.7 billion last year, making the USMCA (the successor to NAFTA) one of the most impactful trade frameworks for our industry. All three countries will need to come together and decide how USMCA should continue, and the United States is likely going to seek revisions to the agreement.

Your perspective will help us better understand how your business is impacted and advocate more effectively for meaningful trade solutions. All responses will remain private and collected in aggregate. Thank you to those of you who have already responded.

Survey Details

Link to survey: USMCA Survey: How North American Trade Impacts You

Estimated time to complete: 10 minutes

Contact:
Tracey Chow, Federal Government Affairs Director
[email protected]
202-704-7312

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Building Global Readiness: Why FSVP Training Matters

September 23rd, 2025

At the recent 2025 NASDA Annual Meeting, a presentation on global trends in agriculture underscored predictions made more than a decade ago: by 2025, produce markets would be more global, more interdependent, and more complex. Today, those forecasts are a reality. Imports of key produce commodities have surged while U.S. production for some crops has declined, and nearly half of all fresh produce in the U.S. comes from abroad.

Importers play a pivotal role in ensuring that global supply chains meet U.S. food safety requirements.

The Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) is central to this effort. However, many operations remain unaware of the FSVP requirements or have not yet participated in FSVP training. Expanding global trade makes it critical that all supply-chain partners understand how to verify foreign suppliers and strengthen compliance practices in the U.S.

FSVP training can support brand reputation, enhance market access, strengthen supplier relationships, improve readiness in a competitive global marketplace, prevent costly disruptions, and advance produce safety.

There is an opportunity now for fresh produce importers to strengthen their role in advancing a safe and reliable supply. Education and training are the bridge to a globally connected produce industry and can strengthen market readiness.

Click here to learn more about the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance Training.

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Best Practices: Transforming Mindsets and Practices for Lasting Success

September 18th, 2025

Highly productive workplace leaders have mastered the art of generating high-impact results within limited timeframes. For those in leadership roles, the ability to shift thought patterns, align actions with meaningful goals, and foster accountability is essential for driving performance and cultivating strong teams. 

Our thought patterns deeply influence how we perceive ourselves, our colleagues, and our responsibilities. Moving from a reactive to a proactive mindset enables workplace leaders to anticipate challenges, make informed decisions, and support others effectively. By consciously choosing proactive approaches effective leaders can set the tone for their teams and organizations. 

Consider these best practices for enhancing productivity and accountability:  

  • Clarify and Align Goals: Begin by setting clear, meaningful goals that connect personal values with organizational objectives. When workplace leaders align their daily actions with these targets, they create purpose-driven momentum that inspires others. 
  • Embrace Structured Accountability: Implement practical techniques such as regular check-ins, progress tracking, and feedback loops. These structures promote responsibility and ensure that individuals remain focused on delivering results. 
  • Strengthen Decision-Making: Encourage reflection before action. By analyzing situations, considering outcomes, and prioritizing tasks, leaders make confident decisions that benefit both individuals and the larger organization. 

Productivity and accountability are contagious. When leaders model these qualities, they empower their teams to adopt similar mindsets and practices.  

Ready to take your productivity to the next level? Don’t miss our upcoming live webinar (Free for WGA Members!), Being Accountable for Your Results. Register today to secure your spot and learn actionable strategies for driving impact and accountability! 

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Cal/OSHA Continues to Remind Employers of Heat Illness Obligations

September 18th, 2025

As California continues to experience higher than normal temperatures, Cal/OSHA reminds employers to protect outdoor and indoor workers from heat illness.  

The forecast sees highs reaching the upper 90s and above in the coming days.

 

Bakersfield: 92-99° F Palmdale: 86-95° F
Coachella: 97-104° F Redding: 87-98° F
Fresno: 91-97° F Riverside: 90-97° F
Imperial: 98-104° F Sacramento: 87-99° F
Modesto: 89-98° F San Bernardino: 91-99° F
Monrovia: 87-94° F Stockton: 88-97° F

 

Heat illness is a serious and potentially deadly hazard. Under Cal/OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention Standards, employers are legally required to implement protective measures for outdoor and indoor workers. Employers may be covered under both the indoor and outdoor regulations if they have workers in each setting. See the Comparison Chart of Indoor and Outdoor Heat Illness Prevention Standards for more information. 

Cal/OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment regulation applies to most indoor workplaces, such as warehouses and manufacturing facilities. For indoor workplaces where the temperature reaches 82 degrees, employers must take steps to protect workers from heat illness. Some of the requirements include providing water, rest, cool-down areas, and training. 

To prevent heat illness at outdoor worksites, the law requires employers to provide outdoor workers fresh water, access to shade (which must be in place when temperature are 80 degrees or higher) and, whenever requested by a worker, cool-down rest breaks in addition to regular breaks. In certain industries, when the temperature at outdoor worksites reaches or exceeds 95 degrees, Cal/OSHA’s standard requires additional protections. Industries with additional high-heat requirements include agriculture and the transportation of agricultural products. High-heat procedures include ensuring employees are observed regularly for signs of heat illness and establishing effective communication methods. 

Employers in both settings must also maintain a written Heat illness prevention plan with effective training for supervisors to recognize the common signs and symptoms of heat illness, and what to do in case of an emergency. 

Additional Resources 

Cal/OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention special emphasis program includes enforcement of the heat standards as well as multilingual outreach and training programs for California’s employers and workers.  

Details on heat illness prevention requirements and training materials are available online on Cal/OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention web page and the 99calor.org informational website. A Heat Illness Prevention online tool is also available on Cal/OSHA’s website. 

Cal/OSHA has established the Heat Illness Prevention (HIP) Network, a voluntary partnership aimed at increasing awareness among employers and workers about the importance of preventing heat illness in California and the importance of taking steps to prevent work-related illnesses and fatalities. To join the HIP Network email [email protected]. 

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Lessons from a Recent Harassment Case

September 18th, 2025

A recent California case, Kruitbosch v. Bakersfield Recovery Service, Inc. (BRS), offers critical guidance regarding employer responsibilities under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). The case centered on an employee, Steven Kruitbosch, who resigned after alleged offsite and off-hours sexual harassment by a coworker and subsequent inadequate and inappropriate responses from BRS’ management and Human Resources (HR). 

Kruitbosch reported receiving crude sexual advances from a coworker at his home and through personal communications. When he brought these incidents to the attention of the company’s acting program director and HR representative, he was told nothing could be done since the behavior occurred off company property. The situation worsened when the HR representative allegedly mocked Kruitbosch both online and in person. The stress from these events, combined with the employer’s failure to address his concerns, led Kruitbosch to resign and file suit for harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. 

While the court found the coworker’s conduct to be reprehensible, it determined that the conduct was not sufficiently work-related to hold the employer directly liable for the offsite actions. It did however find that the employer’s inadequate and dismissive response to the harassment complaint materially altered the plaintiff’s work environment – in an objectively severe manner – which made the harassment claim viable.  

The Kruitbosch case serves as a crucial reminder that the way an employer responds to complaints can be as important as the underlying conduct itself. Consider these best practices when on the receiving end of an employee’s harassment-related complaint(s): 

  • Take All Complaints Seriously; Regardless of Where They Occur: 
    • Even if alleged misconduct happens offsite or outside of working hours, employers should not automatically dismiss complaints. The perceived lack of concern or action can negatively impact the work environment and expose the company to liability. 
  • Respond Professionally and Supportively to Complaints: 
    • HR and management should avoid making dismissive or mocking comments, whether in person or on social media. A supportive, prompt, and well-documented response helps create a safer workplace and protects the organization legally. 
  • Train Supervisors and HR Staff on Complaint Handling: 
    • Regular training should emphasize the importance of proper complaint intake, investigation, and follow-up, including how to handle sensitive issues and avoid retaliation or ridicule. This not only ensures compliance with the law but also fosters a respectful organizational culture. 

Proactively addressing all reports of harassment and maintaining high standards for responding to employee complaints can go a long way toward reducing legal risk and supporting a positive workplace environment. 

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Congress Examines the State of the U.S. Specialty Crop Industry

September 18th, 2025

On Tuesday, the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture held a full committee hearing, “An Examination of the State of the Specialty Crop Industry.” In his opening statement, Chairman Glenn G.T. Thompson (R-PA) shared that specialty crops “play a crucial, and often underappreciated, role in the success of U.S. agriculture,” but that “the very diversity that defines this industry can also present unique challenge in policy development.”

Western Growers member Grimmway Farms was one of four witnesses to testify before the committee. Dana Brennan, Grimmway Farms’ Vice President of Corporate Affairs, provided a strong voice on behalf of many of our industry’s biggest challenges and opportunities. She noted that “regulatory overreach, labor shortages, and outdated policies threaten our ability to grow, harvest, and deliver fresh food.”

Labor challenges, and the need for agriculture labor solutions, was one of the most discussed topics of the hearing. Committee members from both parties stressed how labor shortages and costs threaten farmers’ survival, and how urgently Congress needs to address it in a bipartisan way. All four panelists concurred, with Brennan responding that the industry has long advocated for a reliable, legal workforce and Congress needs to step up for the industry.

The committee also asked many questions about the current limitations of crop insurance and safety net programs, and what can be done to improve them.

Trade and foreign market access, specialty crop research and produce promotion in federal nutrition programs were among the other topics discussed in the hearing.

Looking ahead, Chairman Thompson has publicly expressed the committee’s goal of fully reauthorizing the Farm Bill, which is set to expire this year. Significant funding increases to USDA programs were secured earlier this year through other legislation, but several important policy reforms remain unrealized, especially within the crop insurance space. Last month, Western Growers and the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance released updated Farm Bill priorities to ensure the full extent of federal support for our industry is reflected in an updated bill.

 

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