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CDFA celebrates National Farm to School Month

Posted on October 3, 2022 by Joshua Bingham
Pictured: the Yolo Farm to Fork project utilizes funds from the Farm to School Incubator Grant Program to pilot a new regional food system, enabling group of specialty crop farmers who use climate-smart agricultural practices to bring more fresh, healthy produce to two school districts and teach farming strategies to student gardeners.

CDFA invites all Californians to join in celebrating October as National Farm to School Month.

Supported by the National Farm to School Network, this is a month for thousands of schools, early care education sites, farms, communities, and organizations across the country to celebrate food education, school gardens, and lunch trays filled with healthy, local ingredients.

It’s also a time for the CDFA Farm to School Program to celebrate grantees of the California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program. Through the support of Governor Newsom and the California Legislature, $8.5 million in grant funding was awarded to 60 farm to school projects across the state in 2021. This funding is supporting local and regional farm to school projects that promote nutrition education, sustainable food production and procurement, and high-quality student experiences. Stay tuned for CDFA announcements coming soon about grantees in the 2022 California Fam to School Incubator Grant Program that will support projects that cultivate equity, nurture students, build climate resilience, and create scalable and sustainable change.

California is a leader in farm to school efforts as First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and CDFA Secretary Karen Ross convened the Farm to School Interagency Working Group and Advisory Committee to establish an equitable, resilient and scalable California farm to school movement. These groups’ efforts led to the release earlier this year of “Planting the Seed: Farm to School Roadmap for Success.” The roadmap offers tips to connect children to locally sourced whole foods in the cafeteria, classroom and garden, and it also provides critical resources to cultivate healthier, climate-smart, and more equitable communities.

“CDFA is proud to be one of the many statewide partners supporting farm to school efforts to connect students from every background with healthy, locally grown food to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables,” said Secretary Ross. “This leads to enhanced academic achievement, a lifelong relationship with nutritious food, and a connection to California’s many farmers and ranchers.”

Click here to view this original post on the CDFA Planting Seeds blog.

Posted in CDFA Farm to School Network, CDFA Farm to School Program, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Join CDFA in making a difference on International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste

Posted on September 29, 2022 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) joins the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in recognizing today as the third annual International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste.

In a world where the number of people affected by hunger is rising and tons of edible food are lost and/or wasted every day, curbing food loss and waste is essential. Food loss and waste puts unnecessary pressure on the environment, resulting in natural resource depletion and greenhouse gas emissions.

CDFA’s commitment to helping Californians reduce food loss and waste includes the CDFA Commercial Feed Regulatory Program promoting human food byproduct diversion to create animal feed; the CDFA Rendering Program promoting the process of breaking down animal byproducts for industrial uses; the CDFA Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation promoting compost through the Alternative Manure Management Program and Healthy Soils Program; and the CDFA Office of Farm to Fork increasing food access points.

Visit the FAO website for additional resources and publications about the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste.

Visit the CDFA Food Recovery website to watch an Understanding Food Recovery and Food Upcycling video that relays how CDFA is involved in food recovery, as well as how all Californians can join the effort:

(*Figures mentioned in this video may have changed since the video was created in 2020. Please reference the cited sources for accuracy.)

Click here to view this original post on the CDFA Planting Seeds blog.

Posted in CDFA Commercial Feed Regulatory Program, CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch, CDFA Food Recovery, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

California Farm to School Network September newsletter offers tips, resources and funding opportunities

Posted on September 26, 2022 by Joshua Bingham

Click here to view the newsletter.

The California Farm to School Network includes farm to school practitioners and enthusiasts statewide. Visit the CDFA Farm to School Program webpage to subscribe to these monthly updates that include information about grants, resources, research, webinars, events and news from the National Farm to School Network. The California Farm to School Program is part of the California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) in the Division of Inspection Services.

Posted in CDFA Farm to School Network, CDFA Farm to School Program, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Spanish-language sessions expand outreach to organic growers about Produce Safety Rule

Posted on September 23, 2022 by Joshua Bingham
Produce Safety Program inspectors give a food safety presentation in Spanish to more than 50 organic growers at a recent workshop hosted by the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) in Salinas. (Photo courtesy of ALBA)

CDFA’s Produce Safety Program works to ensure that California farmers understand how to implement all food safety practices required by the federal Food Safety Modernization Act’s Produce Safety Rule.

As part of PSP’s Educate, Implement and Regulate strategy to accomplish this, three PSP inspectors recently gave a Produce Safety Rule presentation in Spanish to more than 50 organic growers at a workshop hosted by the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) in Salinas. After the 30-minute presentation, PSP inspectors fielded questions from attendees particular to their small organic farms.

“Thank you CDFA for the Produce Safety Rule workshop,” ALBA posted to its Facebook page (@albafarmers). “It’s important to understand new policies and learn how to stay in compliance. The ultimate goal is to prevent any contamination.”

“Gracias CDFA por el taller de reglas de seguridad de productos agrícolas frescos de hoy. Es importante comprender las nuevas pólizas y aprender a cumplirlas. El objetivo final es prevenir cualquier contaminación.”

Note — In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, CDFA wishes to acknowledge the extensive work of ALBA to create opportunities for farmworkers through training in organic farm management, helping them advance their careers or pursue the dream of farm ownership. CDFA Secretary Karen Ross visited ALBA yesterday in Salinas and in the photo below speaks with a grower in the training program tending to kale and broccolini.

Click here to view this original post on CDFA Planting Seeds.

Posted in CDFA Inspection & Compliance Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Produce Safety Program | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

CDFA Technical Assistance Program offers farmers multilingual, in-person help

Posted on September 19, 2022 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Technical Assistance Program (TAP) continues to help small-scale farmers across California become compliant with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule for growing fruits, nuts and vegetables. This effort is strengthened through contracts with six multilingual University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) specialists.

Recently, TAP’s UCCE specialists provided six one-on-one meetings with growers to provide on-farm assessments. In-person meeting topics included food safety, FSMA compliance, on-farm treatment for pre-harvest and post-harvest ag water, and pesticide illness prevention training.

TAP specialists also held four workshops, three presentations and two webinars about food safety for diverse groups of growers, potential growers and farmworkers. Topics included overall food safety and sessions particular to strawberries and elderberries.  

A factsheet, “Preparing for FSMA Inspections: Top 5 Recommendations for Small Farms,” was developed, distributed and translated into Spanish and Simplified Chinese. Work is progressing on a FSMA Inspection Preparation Checklist for modules of Produce Safety Alliance curriculum.

Visit the CDFA Technical Assistance Program webpage to learn more or to set up a meeting with a UCCE specialist.  

Posted in CDFA Inspection & Compliance Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Technical Assistance Program | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Apply by September 30 to fill one of two vacancies on CDFA Feed Inspection Advisory Board Technical Advisory Subcommittee

Posted on September 8, 2022 by Joshua Bingham

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is announcing two vacancies on the Feed Inspection Advisory Board Technical Advisory Subcommittee (TASC).
 
This subcommittee provides technical and scientific advice to the Feed Inspection Advisory Board and CDFA on animal food nutrition, safety and efficacy data review of new and unapproved feed ingredients, research project oversight, and other issues that will affect the Commercial Feed Regulatory Program, Livestock Drug Program and Safe Animal Feed Education (SAFE) Program.
 
Applicants must demonstrate technical, applied and scientific expertise in the fields of toxicology, pathology, and ruminant and non-ruminant nutrition, as well as possess general knowledge about the California feed industry.
 
The term of office for subcommittee members is three years. Members receive no compensation but are entitled to payment of necessary travel expenses. Individuals interested in being considered for appointment should send a resume and a Feed TASC Prospective Member Appointment Questionnaire (http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/pdfs/FIAB-TASC_PMAQ.pdf) to SAFE@cdfa.ca.gov. The application deadline is September 30, 2022.
 
For further information about the Feed Inspection Advisory Board TASC, please contact CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services branch staff at (916) 900-5022 or visit http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/Feed_FIAB.html.

Click here to view this original CDFA news release.

Posted in CDFA Feed, Fertilizer and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch, CDFA Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP), CDFA Inspection Services Division, Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board Technical Advisory Subcommittee | Leave a comment

Secretary Ross welcomes Food Literacy Center’s new teaching kitchen and farm

Posted on September 2, 2022 by Joshua Bingham
CDFA Karen Ross (speaking in top photo and holding ribbon in bottom photo) participates in last night’s ribbon cutting ceremony for the Food Literacy Center’s new teaching kitchen, outdoor education space, and community garden at Leataata Floyd Elementary School in the Sacramento City Unified School District. California Rep. Doris Matsui (wearing orange and holding scissors in bottom photo) also participated in the event. Secretary Ross was part of the center’s opening ceremony and thanked the Food Literacy Center for all its work helping Sacramento youth develop a lifelong relationship with healthy food and local farmers while inspiring children to eat their vegetables. View this original post on the CDFA Planting Seeds blog.
Posted in CDFA Farm to School Network, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork | Tagged , | Leave a comment

CDFA partners with county agricultural commissioner offices to conduct organic enforcement activities

Posted on August 31, 2022 by Joshua Bingham
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) California State Organic Program (SOP) contracts with 54 county agricultural commissioner offices to conduct enforcement activities on behalf of CDFA. The enforcement activities include conducting inspections and collecting organic samples for pesticide testing. Pictured are recent SOP organic sampling trainings of county staff at (clockwise from top right) a basil farm in San Mateo County, an apple ranch in Tuolumne County and a strawberry farm in Santa Clara County. Visit the California State Organic Program webpage to learn more about how CDFA protects the organic label through enforcement, education and outreach.
Posted in CDFA California State Organic Program, CDFA Inspection & Compliance Branch, CDFA Inspection Services Division | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

USDA Food and Nutrition Service leaders visit grant recipients in Bay Area  

Posted on August 25, 2022 by Joshua Bingham
USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) leaders, joined by CDFA Farm to School Program Manager Nick Anicich (top photo, second from left), visit the West Coast Contra Unified School District (WCCUSD) where summer meals were provided in early August. WCCUSD partners with the city, county, state and federal governments, local farmers, non-profits, parents and volunteers to provide healthy meals and increase nutrition awareness. Also at the WCCUSD summer meal site were (bottom right) a local farmer offering samples of stone fruit and Conscious Kitchen (bottom left) offering a variety of berries. The yellow food truck in the top photo, purchased with USDA grant funding, allows WCCUSD to provide summer meals in low-income, remote areas where families may not otherwise have access.

USDA FNS leaders also visited the Alameda County Community Food Bank and the Heart of the City Farmers’ Market in San Francisco, which redeems more nutrition assistance benefits (more than $3 million annually) than any other in the nation.

“Engaging with the partners that administer FNS programs and make them a success, as well as children and families that participate in these programs, is so rewarding,” said FNS Administrator Cindy Long. “It’s a great reminder of why we do what we do here at FNS: to ensure that everyone can access safe, healthy, and nutritious food.”
Posted in CDFA Farm to School Network, CDFA Farm to School Program, CDFA Inspection Services Division, CDFA Office of Farm to Fork | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Article highlights benefits of CDFA laboratory participating in proficiency testing program

Posted on August 24, 2022 by Joshua Bingham
Maryam Khosravifard

“Value of the Magruder Program in a Regulatory Laboratory,” by Maryam Khosravifard, environmental program manager I, California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Center for Analytical Chemistry (CAC), is published in the Summer 2022 Edition of the Magruder Newsletter.

The article describes CAC’s perspective on the value of participating in the Magruder Fertilizer Check Sample Program administered by the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials. The program’s mission is to provide interlaboratory comparison studies for laboratories that test fertilizers nationwide.

As a participant in the Magruder Fertilizer Check Sample Program, CAC annually analyses 10-12 check samples from a wide variety of fertilizer composites. These tests demonstrate CAC is capable and competent to perform reference analytical tests and meets the International Standards Organization 17025 accreditation requirements. CAC also uses past check samples with established consensus values for quality control to confirm instrument performance, new methodologies, standard accuracy and to demonstrate staff competency for specific sample preparation procedures and analyses.

CAC has long been a proponent of this program and Khosravifard has been serving on the Magruder committee for the past four years. Participation in a nationally recognized proficiency testing program of repute, such as the Magruder Fertilizer Check Sample Program, aligns with CAC’s strategic direction and continuous improvement in its testing effectiveness.

Posted in CDFA Center for Analytical Chemistry, CDFA Environmental Safety Laboratory, CDFA Inspection Services Division | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment