Food Safety & Conservation Helping producers to think outside the produce box Kelly Hedgepeth North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Soil and Water

Why? 1 in 4 Americans report a food born illness annually 75% of emerging infections diseases are tied to food production (World Heath Organization) Approximately 200 food recalls are issued annually in the US Attention to food safety begins on the farm and ends at the fork

NC Food Safety & Defense Task Force Multi-agency, multi-stakeholder partnership designed to improve the protection of the food supply in North Carolina http://www.foodsafetytaskforce.nc.gov/ NC Fresh Produce Safety Task Force https://ncfreshproducesafety.ces.ncsu.edu/

How did Soil and Water get involved? NC Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Natural Environment Committee Created and Action item that requested conservation districts be educated and trained in FSMA The Division of Soil and Water became a member of the NC Fresh Produce Safety Task Force

Cost Share Programs and Rule Compliance Cross referenced BMPs Excel reference document Technical Assistance & education Understanding the rules and how districts can provide good customer service when doing conservation planning https://ncfreshproducesafety.ces.ncsu.edu/2017/02/fsma-produce- safety-rule-growers-training/

Providing Good Customer Service Recognizing food safety issues on the farm Knowing who to call for help Consider food safety in the conservation plan and planned BMPs Watershed Risk Assessments Are there needed BMPs upstream?

Questions Kelly Hedgepeth North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Soil and Water