sustainable local food systems and food safety[1]
DESCRIPTION
Presentation by Dr. Susan Barefoot with Clemson University, related to her proposed SC SAFE (Sustainable Agriculture Food Economy) program, as well as food safety issues related to SC Local Food Systems.TRANSCRIPT
PRESENTED AT THE
SUSTAINABLE SC LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS WORKSHOP
JANUARY 29, 2010
BY
DR. SUSAN BAREFOOT CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
South Carolina Sustainable Alliance for the Food Economy (SC SAFE)
Sustainable SC Local Food Systems
Sustainable SC Local Food Systems
SC Sustainable Alliance for the Food Economy
SC Sustainable Alliance for the Food Economy
Economic focusSelf-supporting Locally owned
(including) Farmers, Producers Consumers,
Entrepreneurs Local Processors Farmers Markets –
roadside, community, and state.
Wholesalers, Retailers Restaurants, Schools
Educational focusPortal for information
and assistance for the entire SC food system
Will be a “one-stop shop” for reliable information from many partners
Assistance for SC Local Food Systems
How Do Sustainable SC Local Food Systems and SC SAFE Relate?
Why Sustainable Food Systems?
Producers/EntrepreneursDiversifying income
streamIncreasing local access to
fruits and vegetablesFostering food security
and food independenceCustomersBuying from neighbors Supporting local food
economy Connecting with
agricultureFinding lower cost,
higher quality productsExpecting safer food
What SC SAFE Offers
A portal for answers to business and consumer technical and marketing food questions through University connections:
Clemson research and Extension faculty in Food Science & Human Nutrition; Applied Economics & Statistics; Entomology, Soils & Plant Sciences; Horticulture; Packaging Science; Management ; Marketing; Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management; Institute for Community & Economic Development; Spiro Entrepreneurial Center.
Local Clemson Extension agent expertise in food safety & nutrition, community & economic development, horticulture, row crops, livestock & forages.
South Carolina State faculty and agents who work with limited resource farmers and small businesses.
What SC SAFE Offers
Answers to technical, marketing and business food questions through Agency connections:
SC Department of AgricultureSC Department of Health & Environmental
ControlSC Meat & Poultry InspectionSmall Business Development CentersSC Department of CommerceOther state and federal partners
What SC SAFE Offers
Identification of technical, marketing and food questions and trends through Business associations or NGO connections:
SC Food Safety Council and SC Food Policy Council
SC Specialty Foods AssociationSoutheastern Food Processors AssociationSC Fruit, Vegetable & Specialty Crops AssociationEat Smart Move More - South CarolinaSC Farm BureauSustainable Ag Organizations and Others
How Can SC SAFE Help Sustain SC Local Food Systems (Farmers Markets)?
ExampleFood safety continuum
from producers to community farmers’ markets
CustomersBuy from neighbors Support local food
economy Connect with
agricultureFind lower cost, high
quality productsExpect safe, healthy
food
Food Safety for Sustainable Food Systems – Community Farmers Markets
Food safety is the risk of illness or injury associated with handling and consuming foods. Lower risk = safer food.
Foodborne hazards include: Physical – metal, plastic, glass, wood, pits, stones. Chemical – pesticides, fertilizers, cleaners, sanitizers. Biological – disease-causing organisms or their toxic
products (Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli O157:H7, botulinum toxin, hepatitis virus); natural allergens
Physical and chemical hazards must continually be addressed by farmers and growers.
However, the largest number of food safety problems are caused by biological hazards.
SC SAFE and Farmers’ Market Managers
ESMMSC Toolkit for (eatsmartmovemoresc.org) Farmers Market Managers outlines SC food safety regulations and market vender requirements
SC SAFE accesses programs that help market venders understand (1) food safety risks, need for compliance, (2) necessary certifications, and (3) process authority expertise
SC SAFE and Farmers’ Market Vegetable Grower-Venders
Growers producing vegetables for sale at Farmers’ Markets should:
Properly use agricultural chemicals and other products
Reduce exposure to potential hazards during production, harvest and handling
Require good personal hygiene from all persons harvesting or handling produce
SC SAFE: Training in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP’s) helps farmers meet these requirements
SC SAFE and Farmers’ Market Venders of Prepared Foods
Per SC Food & Cosmetic Act, foods for public sale:
Must be prepared in an inspected, approved facility
Must have an approved label.
If canned, bottled or jarred, product must be analyzed by process authority (SC SAFE).
Venders producing acidified foods must meet FDA process requirements. BPC School FDA registration Certified process Recordkeeping
SC SAFE and Farmers’ Market Customers
Food safety programsFood preparation
/culinary classesFood safety, nutrition
and health topics at Clemson Home & Garden Information Center (hgic.clemson.edu)
National Center for Home Food Preservation at U.Ga. (uga.edu/nchfp/)
• Home canning and food preservation work shops
Food Safety Tools for Sustainable Food Systems through the SC SAFE Portal
For Producers Pesticide TrainingGood Agricultural
Practices (GAPs) Workshops
SE Vegetable Extension Workers “2010 Vegetable Crop Handbook”
For Processors and Entrepreneurs
Technical advice Specialty product
analysisBetter Process Control
Schools
HACCP WorkshopsProcess Authorities
For ConsumersCanning and food
preservation workshopsFood
preparation/culinary classes
Web resources: Home & Garden
Information Center National Center for
Home Food Preservation
SC SAFE and Farmers Markets
The SC Sustainable Alliance for the Food Economy currently is a portal to food safety and quality tools for Farmers Markets and SC Local Food Systems
We are working to secure funds to “grow” it
More to come …… Feasibility studies Food business planning Market assessment
Questions? Suggestions? Ideas?
For More Information on SC SAFE
Dr. Susan BarefootClemson UniversityTel: 864-656-3140
E-mail: [email protected]