On January 13th, 2025, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) staff, including the Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Jim Jones, participated in an informative and collaborative tour of the agricultural regions in Yuma, Arizona, and Imperial Valley, California. The visit was hosted by the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA) and brought together industry leaders, trade…
In today’s world, data is the driver for progress and innovation. From tracking soil health to assessing water quality, to guiding regulatory decisions and tracking microbiological trends, data helps improve efficiency and decision making. I have recently been polishing my modeling skills by reading a book in modeling techniques by Max Kuhn and Julia Silge. What I was reminded of is that the…
Are you ready to learn about data, collaborate on projects and meet other data enthusiasts? Join the data cultivation workgroup (DCW) this new year. The DCW is more than a group – it’s a community of forward-thinkers, problem-solvers and collaborators. By joining, you will: Build Knowledge: Improve your data literacy and skills through expert presentations and peer…
Cucumbers are one of the most popular and important commodities in the U.S. with approximately 2.8 billion pounds being available for consumption every year. Nevertheless, most of the cucumber availability is from foreign origin. In 2023, the U.S. produced approximately 337 million pounds and imported 2.54 billion pounds (89 percent of the cucumbers consumed in the United States). Figure…
Last updated 11/1/2024 According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, onions rank among the top-produced commodities in the U.S., with 166,000 acres harvested that year. In 2023, 28 percent of onions were produced in Washington State, 26 percent from California and 19 percent from Oregon. (USDA , NASS) As reported in the Vegetables and Pulses Yearbook Tables, in 2023, 20.8 percent of the…
Are you passionate about data science and its potential to transform the produce industry? Whether you’ve attended our previous meetings or are joining us for the first time, we welcome you to our next Data Cultivation Workgroup meeting. Details of the Meeting: Date: Wednesday, October 9, 2024 Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Location: Virtual (Register here) This meeting…
Join us for an insightful webinar focused on improving data quality in produce safety through standardized data collection and understanding the impact of methodological differences. This session will feature two key presentations: Dr. Claire Murphy, Dr. Laura Strawn and Dr. Michelle Danyluk will present their study on the critical need for standardized data collection for water data.…
Explore GreenLink®: Core Features and Live Demo Webinar This session will provide a comprehensive overview of GreenLink’s core functionalities and features, followed by an exclusive live demonstration of the GreenLink dashboard. The webinar will conclude with a Q&A session to address questions and explore how GreenLink can advance the field of food safety. Don’t miss the chance to…
Following a successful inaugural meeting on June 12, 2024, where participants engaged in meaningful discussions on data science, shared innovative project ideas and explored potential guest speaker opportunities, the next session is now open for registration. The August 14, 2024, session will feature: Discussions on Data Sharing Best Practices Projects NCBI Pathogen Detection…
Sampling and Testing Integrity Workshop This comprehensive, one-day event is designed for industry professionals seeking to enhance their expertise in critical areas such as the science of sampling, maintaining testing integrity and understanding AOAC programs. Attendees will gain practical insights into advanced testing tools and programs that can improve the reliability and accuracy of…
Staying informed about production trends, economic information and food safety is extremely important for grower operations. Data analysis helps in making informed decisions regarding farm management, production and food safety. This article highlights three resources that provide valuable insights into trends in the produce world and food safety: the Census of Agriculture, along with the U.S.…
Join us for a webinar with Dr. Zach Conrad from William and Mary University. Dr. Conrad will discuss the environmental and economic impacts of food waste, using data-driven approaches highlighted in his research. He will explore the relationship between food waste, diet quality, and sustainability. Event Details: Date: July 30, 2024 Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PT Location:…
In September 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published “Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods” (the Traceability Rule or FSMA Rule 204), proposing regulations mandating the establishment and sharing of food production-related records to shorten the FDA’s investigations of outbreaks when they occur. By Jan. 20, 2026, all companies that are subject…
On June 24th, 2024, Western Growers, along with the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association and Colorado Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association hosted a webinar on FSMA’s Final Rule on Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water. The webinar featured the following expert guest speakers: Kruti Ravaliya from the U.S…
Discover the Power of a Data Cultivation Workgroup in the Produce Industry! Join us for a series of virtual meetings that dive into the benefits of establishing a Data Cultivation Workgroup. Enhance your Knowledge of Data: We will start the working group with a series of presentations on how you can leverage your data, with potential applications from other industries. Risk Assessment…
Webinar Discussion on the LGMA Amendment Process Western Growers Science and the LGMA will be hosting a webinar on July 11th at 1:00 PM PT to discuss the proposed changes and comments submitted to the working group during the open comment period (June 3rd to July 2nd). Following the webinar the working group will address the comments and submit proposals to the LGMA technical…
In the evolving landscape of agriculture, ensuring the food safety of produce is a top priority for growers. As the industry experiences technological advancements, the integration of modeling and data-sharing can be a vital and powerful tool to assess and mitigate risk in growing, packing, processing, and shipping produce. A collaborative approach must be adopted to create a sense of community…
The comment period for the proposed changes to the LGMA-approved metrics related to harvesting equipment sanitation (Issue 8) and a small update to the water section (Issue 6) for alignment with the FSMA final rule on agricultural water will open on Monday, June 3 and close on Tuesday, July 2. To submit your comments: Visit the Leafy Green Guidance website:…
In May 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published the final rule to amend the agricultural water provision of the produce safety regulation. This update replaces previous criteria and testing requirements with a new regulatory approach emphasizing systems-based assessments to target key contamination risks, including testing in specific circumstances. It mandates timely risk-based…
This webinar will provide insights on the implementation of the FDA’s requirements for Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water, featuring expert perspectives from academia, government, and industry. What to expect: Don Stockel from the Produce Safety Alliance will offer an academic perspective. Kruti Ravaliya from the FDA will cover compliance and rule interpretation. Cecilia Mendoza from…