The Goal of the Website
The produce safety landscape can be confusing; there are a variety of produce safety standards and verification systems that can look similar in practice, yet are different in application for produce operations. As a result, market access requirements may not match grower obligations and documentation after being found in compliance following a FSMA Produce Safety Rule inspection, or from succeeding to meet an audit’s acceptance criteria. To help buyers navigate these complications, this website provides farm production statistics, state inspection and audit information in simple charts and tables, all with an eye to improving produce safety knowledge, communication, and alignment among buyers and producers.
Screenshot from Buyers' Guide Website; Click to view full website
How to use the site
An interactive map allows users to drill down at the state level to learn more about the produce production landscape, farm size, and scale within each state. Here, the user will also find a detailed review of what is required for audits and inspections in the state along with corresponding program contact information. The site also includes a glossary of terms, a plain-language overview of the Produce Safety Rule, and a table where you can compare each state's audit and inspection information side by side.
Screenshot from Buyers' Guide Website; Click to view full website
Intended Audience
The intended audience for this site are professional produce buyers, or people who purchase produce for distribution to customers. This guide is Intended to help produce buyers understand the produce safety programs that each state’s growers have available to them, and as a follow up project, hold a discussion about the nature & strengths of each of the produce safety programs.
Providing Feedback
We are requesting feedback from buyers on how we can make this website more informative and useful. If you would like to provide your thoughts, please visit the survey below to leave your feedback and contact information.
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