Accessing Markets by Improving Virginia’s Fresh Produce Food Safety Culture

PI: Vallotton, Co-PIs: Archibald, Boyer, DuBois, & Vargo

Goal: In this project, the Fresh Produce Food Safety Team, in partnership with Virginia’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and Local Food Hub (LFH), conducted a market assessment for food procurement requirements and expectations related to food safety assurances / certification in six market sectors: Farmers Markets, Schools (K-12), Restaurants, Retailers, Other institutions (hospitals, universities, elder care), Wholesale Distributors.

Benefits: The data was used to formulate recommendations for growers, market sector representatives, and decision makers for improving alignment between market sector food safety expectations and needs and producer practices.

Results: Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program Final Performance Report