What Is the Produce Safety Program?

The Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety program was developed as a statewide effort
to work with farmers to manage produce safety risks ​according to the
​Food Safety Modernization Act’s (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR). 

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Michelle Jacokes, Produce Safety Technician

Email Michelle

Michelle Jacokes provides produce safety technical services to Manistee, Benzie, Leelanau, Grand Traverse and Antrim counties. Please contact her
​at ​michelle.jacokes@macd.org 
or 231.889.9666.

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To see if you are covered by the Produce Safety Program complete this short survey:

QUALIFYING SURVEY

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CLICK HERE: PRODUCE SAFETY RESOURCES . . .

READ HERE: ARTICLE IN THE TICKER

The Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule is the first-ever regulation placing standards on:

• Growing
• Harvesting
• ​Packing
• Handling of Fruits and Vegetables

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This is an effort to prevent microbial contamination and food-borne illness in fresh produce.
The rule applies to all fruits and vegetables meant for human consumption that are defined as typically consumed raw by the FSMA.

This program is delivered to Michigan produce growers by Produce Safety Technicians through grant funding administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).  For those requesting assistance the Technician provides voluntary and free services to all farms who grow, pack, process, or sell fresh produce regardless of size, income or market reach.

This program is strictly voluntary and confidential. Technicians are prohibited to share any information obtained while offering services to state inspectors or others.

Assistance provided by Produce Safety Technicians include:

• Produce Safety Risk Assessment
• On Farm Readiness Review
• Assistance on developing Food Safety Plan
• Technical on-farm advice
• Grower Trainings through Produce Safety Alliance-FSMA required

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Other information regarding resources, and educational opportunities for farmers are available upon request.

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Produce Safety News & Updates

FARM GRANT INFORMATION

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Did you know that Michigan is the only State that has Produce Safety Technicians? There are six Produce Safety Techs in the State that assist fresh produce growers in implementing and tailoring their practices to meet the highest produce safety standards. The Technicians are housed in the Conservation Districts, and are located in areas that were identified as fresh produce ‘hot spots’ in Michigan (those counties being high fresh produce output areas). ​READ MORE...

"The most inspiring part of my job is seeing and being a part of a local food culture that is deeply rooted in regenerative agricultural practices, and sustaining the future of farming by protecting farmland and the natural lands that surround it." ~ Michelle Jacokes