Happy New Year! Here is the latest DFI newsletter on produce safety and on-farm risk management extraordinaire – first one of 2021. WASH HOUSE NEWS shares lessons learned and the latest information from the world of produce safety every other month. This issue includes a FOCUS on Kale, Chard, Spinach and Produce Safety.

Focus: Kale, Chard, Spinach and Produce Safety

This article highlights the best on-farm practices for leafy green safety. Kale, chard and spinach are top DFI crops and they are on our mind as they have thrived in the hoop houses this winter. This topic is part of an ongoing series to provide concise, crop specific produce safety guidance – with our own practical tips thrown in.

News & Science

National produce safety news:

There are currently no active investigations of food borne illness in the US related to fresh produce!
The FDA and USDA now recommend rotating sanitizers that are used on surfaces that come into contact with fresh produce. This minimizes the chance of pathogens developing a tolerance. Read more from the Center for Produce Safety…

Produce safety news from DFI:

Tanner Petrilla, DFI’s new Farm Manager and President of the Sierra Nevada Young Farmer’s Coalition, hosted a compost training on January 30 to demonstrate the Johnson Su Bioreactor. He touched on key produce safety practices regarding composting during the workshop. Read more about soil amendments and produce safety...
We finished a major update to our outdoor produce wash station in January as well! The work included installing pavers and full drainage system, an expanded table surface fashioned from rust proof and food safe grating for spray washing veggies, and a new shelving system to promote good work flow. Check out DFI’s Facebook page for more info.
Noelle Tegano will be joining the DFI team this season as our very first Farm and Food Safety AmeriCorps Volunteer. She’ll be providing training and leadership on produce safety – online and on the farm. Welcome Noelle!

Training

NDA and DFI are hosting a targeted produce safety training here in Nevada on February 18 – virtual format! We are excited to hear from our guest speaker from the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) on practical challenges and solutions for small farms. Stay tuned to DFI News for more info.
The Produce Safety Alliance recently released three additional short animated videos on handwashing, biofilms, and the On-Farm Readiness Review (OFRR) with Spanish narration. Have a look!
As always, check the Produce Safety Alliance’s list of grower trainings for ongoing training opportunities.

Get your on-farm readiness review!

Are you ready for a Produce Safety Inspection? DFI offers free On-Farm Readiness Reviews for Nevada fruit and vegetable growers on an ongoing basis. These give farmers a better understanding of what they can expect from upcoming NDA produce safety inspections. We are offering remote consultation by phone to reduce risks associated with COVID-19. Contact us for more information!

The Desert Farming Initiative (DFI) began in 2013, and is a collaboration between the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources, Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station (NAES), and Cooperative Extension. DFI is a diversified organic farm at UNR comprised of hoop houses, a propagation greenhouse and 3 acres of field crops. Currently DFI grows up to 90 varieties of certified organic fruit and vegetables each year for local wholesale and retail markets, as well as food security programs in Reno/Sparks and Tahoe region. DFI supports hands-on student learning, advancement of desert crop production, farm extension, and the sustainability of the regional food system.

Moe, J. 2021, Wash House News - Issue No. 8 - January 2021, Desert Farming Initiative, University of Nevada, Reno

Learn more about the author(s)

Jill Moe

Also of Interest:


Detecting Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Uptake and Translocation in Lettuce to Enhance Food Safety Assessment. Reclaiming Water for Urban Foodsheds integrates basic scientific research with extension outreach to examine the feasibility of using reclaimed water resources for irrigated agriculture in urban environments. Yang, Y., Das, K., Barrios-Masias., F., and Singletary, L. 2018, Extension I University of Nevada, Reno, FS-18-03.
Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and Good Handling Practices (GHPs): A Framework for Minimizing On-Farm Food Safety Hazards Approximately 48 million people in the United States get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die from foodborne diseases each year (CDC, 2011). Produce has continued to be implicated in major foodborne illness outbreaks in recent years. Urbanowitz, S. 2013, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Food Safety Tips for Nevada Child Caregivers This publication will help you to learn more about what caregivers should look for during the preparation of food to prevent foodborne illness. Omaye, S. and Wilson, M. 2007, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-07-28
Team YHEP Presents: Hydroponics Harvest and Donations Team YHEP shows you how we harvest and package our hydroponic produce for donation to our food pantry partners throughout Las Vegas! O'Callaghan, A., Braxton-Perry, T., Hansen, N., and Ford-Terry, I., 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, YouTube Channel
Alternative Marketing Options for Nevada’s Livestock Producers Food safety concerns and the separation between producers and consumers are related, as the insecurity consumers feel regarding food safety stems from the numerous channels food products pass through before reaching the final consumer, especially in the case of imported products. Cowee, M. and Curtis, K. 2008, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension

Wash House News - Issue No. 8 - January 2021