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Risk does not care where fresh produce comes from.
By Joelle Mosso, AVP, Science Programs and Sonia Salas, AVP, Food Safety and Regulatory Affairs The U.S. fresh produce supply is now deeply dependent on imports: The USDA ERS estimates that in 2024 imports supply 59.4% of fresh fruit availability and 36.3% of fresh vegetable availability. Yet FDA oversight, inspection resources, and operational focus still disproportionately center…
USDA Details Payment Rates and Signup Timeline for Specialty Crop Assistance
(Washington, D.C., May 29, 2026) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced payment rates and the enrollment period for the Assistance for Specialty Crops Farmers (ASCF) program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will issue $1.625 billion in payments to eligible specialty crop producers in response to elevated input costs and market disruptions resulting from…
FDA Shares Update on FY26 Cucumber Sampling
Microbiological Surveillance Sampling The FDA has initiated a new surveillance sampling assignment for both domestic and imported raw fresh whole cucumbers for Salmonella. A history of Salmonella outbreaks linked to cucumbers precipitated this assignment. Between 2012 and 2025, both domestic and imported cucumbers were linked to multiple Salmonella outbreaks. The FDA has carefully…
Reminder: Upcoming Deadlines for SB 54
This is an important reminder regarding upcoming SB 54 deadlines and available resources for growers, packers, shippers, and brand owners using plastic packaging in California. Important Deadline June 1, 2026 – Deadline to register as a Producer under SB 54. If you are going to file for an Exclusion or an Exemption, we recommend you still register as a Producer in the event an…
SB 54 Plastic Packaging Resources and Updates
Find our latest updates and resources on SB 54 below: SB 54: Plastic Packaging Exclusion Resources CalRecycle Issues New Guidance Document for SB 54 Producer Compliance SB 54: Estimated Fees for California Packaging Regulation SB 54 Update: Exclusion Pathway for Fresh Produce Packaging WG SB 54 Resource Hub
Reminder: Upcoming Deadlines for SB 54
This is an important reminder regarding upcoming SB 54 deadlines and available resources for growers, packers, shippers, and brand owners using plastic packaging in California. Important Deadline June 1, 2026 – Deadline to register as a Producer under SB 54. If you are going to file for an Exclusion or an Exemption, we recommend you still register as a Producer in the event an…
SB 54: Plastic Packaging Exclusion Resources
CalRecycle recently released additional guidance documents related to SB 54, California’s Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act. We know there is still significant confusion regarding who is considered a “Producer,” what packaging must be reported, what an “Exclusion” means and how “Exemptions” work. We hope the summary below helps simplify the…
CalRecycle Issues New Guidance Document for SB 54 Producer Compliance
CalRecycle has published a new guidance document to assist entities with navigating the Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility System (PEPRS), including creating a CalRecycle WebPass account to log into PEPRS and submitting an Independent Producer application or Small Producer Exemption application. This information may be helpful for producers and others in navigating the requirements…
Chinese Supplier Drone Ban: What it Means for Specialty Crop Agriculture (June 11 Webinar)
Join us for a timely discussion on the current landscape surrounding the Chinese supplier drone ban, what these developments could mean for agricultural drone use and how growers and ag service providers may be impacted moving forward. The webinar will feature perspectives from industry leaders working directly with drone operations, grower services and agtech innovation. Webinar…
Prop 65 Litigation Update: Heavy Metals in Leafy Greens (May 20 Webinar)
Join Western Growers Legal for a timely webinar on the latest developments in Proposition 65 and its impact on the produce industry. Guest speaker Ann M. Grottveit, Partner at Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP, will provide an update on Prop 65 litigation involving heavy metals in leafy greens, including key legal considerations, the notice process, available defenses and regulatory…
May 15 Deadline Nears for HSP and SWEEP Block Grant Concept Proposals
Concept Proposals are currently being accepted for the Healthy Soils Program (HSP) and State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) Block Grants. HSP Block Grant recipients work directly with producers in their region by providing outreach, technical assistance and support throughout project implementation. These organizations manage the local application process, recommend…
Register Today for U.S. Labor Policies: Rhetoric vs. Reality Webinar on May 27
How are the Trump administration’s labor policies shaping the landscape for agricultural employers? As labor policy debates continue to dominate headlines, agriculture employers need real-world guidance to protect their workforce and operations. The California Farm Labor Contractor Association's upcoming webinar, "U.S. Labor Policies: Rhetoric vs. Reality," will provide members with…
SB 54 Regulations Approved and in Effect; Registration Deadline for Producers Updated to June 1
Packaging Regulation in CA SB 54 approved by the California Office of Administrative Law (OAL) with early effective date; Obligated companies must register with the Circular Action Alliance (CAA) by June 1 to avoid penalties As of May 1, 2026, the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) officially approved and implemented the permanent regulations for the…
New Report Warns California’s Pest Prevention System Is Falling Behind Growing Threats
California’s pest prevention system—critical to protecting the nation’s food supply, natural landscapes, and urban environments—is under increasing strain, according to a new comprehensive report released today. The report finds that while many elements of California’s system remain highly effective, they are being outpaced by a sharp rise in invasive pest threats driven by global…