Science

We are committed to the success of your business and the future of our industry. Our experts provide important scientific and technical information to members, staff, policy makers, and the public to resolve the challenges you and our industry face every day. We are determined to ensure a safe and secure food supply, healthy crops, realiable natural resources, and sustainability for our members. 

Lunch & Learn Webinars

Our monthly webinars offer guidance from industry experts on key issues. Recent webinar topics include:

  • Tail Water Re-use
  • Fumigant Regulatory Issues
  • FDA Inspections
  • Big Data

To view or register for upcoming webinars, go to the Events page.

Guidelines & Regulatory Resources

We work with regulators, legislators, universities and scientists to offer resources including commodity specific food safety guidelines and regulatory guidance manuals, such as:

  • Recall Manual
  • Food Inspection Manual
  • What If the FDA Takes Samples

To access food safety guidelines and regulatory resources, go to the Resources page.

FSMA Resources Portal

We provide information, resources and tools to assist with the implementation of new regulations. This portal provides the latest information on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rules impacting the specialty crop industry.

To access this information, resources and tools, go to the FSMA Resources page.

Research & Reports

We report on the latest food safety research findings and trends such as:

  • Center for Produce Safety Report
  • International Association for Food Protection Report
  • Ag Water Research Report

To access food safety research reports, go to the Resources page.

Innovation

Western Growers is working to accelerate the availability of new technology that will help produce more food with fewer inputs and less waste. Visit our website to follow the Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology.

CA LGMA Virtual Audits

Perform the desktop portion of the CA LGMA in-person audit through this new online system!  Costs for using the system are covered by your CALGMA dues.  To get started, fill out the Intake Form.

For more information, email us at calgmavirtualaudits@wga.com.

Sustainability Calculator

Western Growers, in partnership with the Stewardship Index for Specialty Crops (SISC), introduces an advanced online tool developed with SupplyShift that allows growers, packer shippers, and brands to establish baselines and offers visualizations of trends to help gauge sustainability efforts within operations and across supply chains.

Webinars

Sustainability Metrics in Agriculture Part 1

Participate

Access the SISC Calculator here: https://www.supplyshift.net/

Depending on harvest dates, use the following Access Codes when submitting data:

  • 2020: a9cb27ad-a057-4417-abc5-80bdaa9040ba
  • 2021: 25b7f1ad-3fa6-42de-a18d-462ec28a0f5c

Assistance

Sustainability and metric calculations

Alison Edwards, Director & Facilitator, Stewardship Index for Specialty Crops

aedwards@stewardshipindex.org

Getting started and retrieving the access code

Marlene Hanken, Data Programs Analyst, Western Growers

sustainability@wga.com

Feedback and general questions about the online calculator

Miguel de Sousa, Implementation Manager, SupplyShift

mdesousa@supplyshift.net

Science & Technology Staff

Sonia Salas
Assistant Vice President, Food Safety, Science & Technology
949-885-2251

Need more information?

Fill out this form, and a team member will contact you.