SLIDE 1 WELCOME TO THE CFN FOOD SYSTEM WEBINAR SERIES!
Check out the CFN Webinar Archive: www.chesapeakefoodshed.net
SLIDE 2 MISSION
To catalyze connections and collaborations that build a sustainable, resilient, inclusive and equitable regional food system in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Chesapeake Bay map created by Kmusser.
SLIDE 3 Chesapeake Farm to Institution Work Group, a partnership between the CFN & Health Care Without Harm
Join the Google Group by emailing:
chesapeake-farm-to-institution+subscribe@googlegroups.com Send an email to the Work Group: chesapeake-farm-to-institution@googlegroups.com
www.chesapeakefoodshed.net @chesfoodshed @HCWithoutHarm
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SLIDE 6 Part I: Food Safety for Fruit & Veg Growers & Processors, Buyers, & Local Food & Ag Professionals & Advocates
Resource Experts
Amber Vallotton, VA Cooperative Extension; Fresh Produce Food Safety Team Coordinator & Extension Specialist Lindsay Gilmour, Organic Plant LLC; Food Safety Consultant, CFN Co-Chair Rohan Tikekar, Ph.D., College of Ag & Natural Resources, Dept. of Nutrition & Food Science, UMD; Asst.
Professor
Respondent
Becky Howe, Weaver’s Orchard, Morgantown, PA; Food Safety Director
Q&A Moderated by
Kristen Markley, Health Care Without Harm, Co-Chair of the Chesapeake Farm to Institution Work Group
TODAY’S WEBINAR
www.chesapeakefoodshed.net @chesfoodshed @HCWithoutHarm @MWCOG
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SLIDE 8
Understanding Fresh Produce Purchasing Considerations to Increase Access by Local Producers to Virginia’s Market Sectors
Amber Vallotton
Extension Specialist Department of Horticulture Virginia Tech avallott@vt.edu
SLIDE 9
VIRGINIA’S FRESH PRODUCE FOOD SAFETY TEAM
VCE extension specialists and field agents team working together to tackle a wide array of produce safety educational needs for various stakeholders in the Commonwealth!
SLIDE 10
Tie-In to Other VCE Food Safety Programming from Farm to Fork
SLIDE 11
SETTING THE STAGE FOR TODAY’S DISCUSSION
◼ In Virginia and broader Mid-Atlantic region, growing demand and support for local food ◼ Given varying specific food safety expectations, policies, and requirements, significant barriers for producers trying to tap into new markets ◼ This trend particularly true for institutional buyers, who are often constrained by far-reaching institutional and/or corporate policies
SLIDE 12
HOW DO PRODUCERS NAVIGATE BUYER FOOD SAFETY REQUIREMENTS WHEN A “ONE SIZE FITS ALL” STANDARD DOESN’T EXIST???
SLIDE 13 VIRGINIA MARKET ASSESSMENT
◼ In 2015-2016, Virginia Fresh Produce Food Safety Team conducted a state-wide market assessment ◼ To better understand current expectations and perceptions across multiple market sectors in Virginia
➢ Direct markets ➢ Colleges/Universities ➢ Hospitals ➢ Public Schools (K-12) ➢ Restaurants ➢ Retailers ➢ Wholesalers
SLIDE 14 VIRGINIA MARKET ASSESSMENT
◼ On-line Survey Questions focused on principal buyers of various markets:
➢ Purchasing roles ➢ Produce sources used ➢ Frequency of purchasing during peak and off season ➢ Annual fresh produce expenditures ➢ Virginia-grown produce sourced ➢ Purchasing Priorities & Barriers ➢ Food Safety Requirements ➢ Recommendations
SLIDE 15
VIRGINIA MARKET ASSESSMENT
◼ Online survey coupled with
subsequent Focus Groups (FG)
◼ Response rate lower than
anticipated within some sectors like hospitals and colleges & universities
◼ Supplemented survey and FG
data with literature review and recorded interviews to corroborate
SLIDE 16
VIRGINIA MARKET ASSESSMENT
◼ Survey data used to ➢ Offer recommendations for both producers and buyers to bring better alignment between on-farm food safety practices and requirements within different marketplaces ➢ Provide stronger foundation for on-going training and outreach efforts ➢ Create cross sector comparison and sector factsheets, infographics, project report, and content for FPFST website and social media
SLIDE 17 KEY LESSONS LEARNED
◼ Although survey specifically targeted food safety perceptions & expectations,
- ther constraints related to purchasing
were consistently mentioned ◼ Food safety certifications and liability ranked higher in public schools, colleges & universities, and hospitals
◼ Hospitals exemplified most complex system with extensive hierarchy of management, personnel, and policy hurdles Product characteristic ranked from most to least important across all sectors
▪ Quality ▪ Availability ▪ Price ▪ Delivery Consistency ▪ Product Variety ▪ Quantity ▪ Food Safety Certification ▪ Grower Proximity to Buyer (market) ▪ Product Liability Insurance
SLIDE 18
KEY LESSONS LEARNED
◼ Across sectors and sometimes within sectors, food safety requirements were inconsistent given varied procurement strategies, i.e. schools ◼ Different kinds of certifications required ◼ Where certifications were not required, distributors purchasing local produce often verified supplier adherence to food safety practices and overcame logistical challenges ◼ In other cases, buyers purchasing directly often relied solely on verbal assurances and established relationships to address food safety and quality assurances
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KEY LESSONS LEARNED
◼ Regardless of market sector, purchasing direct from producer was prioritized, but logistical hurdles faced were also substantial ◼ Perception that intermediaries like food hubs could streamline access to local foods ◼ Regardless of market sector, communication of requirements, expectations, needs, and priorities by buyers to producers was THE KEY take-home message! ◼ Communication by producers to buyers as to how they meet or don’t meet marketplace criteria was also critically important! ◼ Not more time but have resources…
SLIDE 20
RESOURCES
▪ Virginia Produce Safety
website
▪ Has wealth of resources to
help agents and producers navigate various levels of food safety requirements
▪ Blog/Calendar of events ▪ Research Projects
http://www.hort.vt.edu/producesafety/
SLIDE 21
ACCESSING MARKETS RESOURCES
http://www.hort.vt.edu/producesafety/producers/markets.html
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THANK YOU
SLIDE 23 THANK YOU!
Thank you to our sponsors!
www.chesapeakefoodshed.net @chesfoodshed @HCWithoutHarm @MWCOG
Resource Experts
Amber Vallotton, VA Cooperative Extension; Fresh Produce Food Safety Team Coordinator & Extension Specialist Lindsay Gilmour, Organic Plant LLC; Food Safety Consultant, CFN Co-Chair Rohan Tikekar, Ph.D., College of Ag & Natural Resources, Dept. of Nutrition & Food Science, UMD; Asst.
Professor
Respondent
Becky Howe, Weaver’s Orchard, Morgantown, PA; Food Safety Director
Q&A Moderated by
Kristen Markley, Health Care Without Harm, Co-Chair of the Chesapeake Farm to Institution Work Group
SLIDE 24 NEXT STEPS
Chesapeake Farm to Institution Work Group presents:
- Food Safety compiled Resources: http://www.chesapeakefoodshed.net/learn/archived-webinars/
- Tomorrow’s webinar, Food Safety Part II
04/10 12-1:15PM EST Understanding Wholesale Buyer Expectations: Digging Deeper on Food Safety Certification, Quality, Post-Harvest Handling & Packaging
- Late May/early June: Community Benefit Round-Table Discussions on healthy food initiatives
- September: Sustainable Procurement Policy language video call
- Healthy Food Playbook is launched! https://foodcommunitybenefit.noharm.org/
Sign up
- The CFN HIVE; & Network email list to stay up-to-date about the Chesapeake Farm to Institution Work Group,
COG’s Local Food Distribution Work Group; events; & opportunities. www.chesapeakefoodshed.net
- Join the Chesapeake F2I Google Group: chesapeake-farm-to-institution+subscribe@googlegroups.com
Participate
- NESAWG 2018! It Takes a Region Conference in Philadelphia, October 25-27 2018 with in-person networking
meeting for the Chesapeake Farm to Institution Work Group http://nesawg.org/conference
- ***Share feedback with the CFN for today’s webinar & ideas for regional food systems programming:
https://tinyurl.com/yc9drcce
www.chesapeakefoodshed.net @chesfoodshed @HCWithoutHarm @MWCOG
SLIDE 25 THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING!
UPCOMING CFN EVENTS All times in EST and open to all; Come to the table!
@chesfoodshed www.chesapeakefoodshed.net
For more information & to register, please visit: www.chesapeakefoodshed.net ❖ Tomorrow! 04/10 12-1:15PM EST Part 2: Understanding Wholesale Buyer Expectations: Digging Deeper on Food Safety Certification, Quality, Post-Harvest Handling & Packaging ❖ 04/19 1-2PM EST. CFN FRRWG - Food & Resource Recovery Work Group Meeting ❖ 05/24 Time TBD. CFN COEP - Community Ownership, Empowerment, & Prosperity Action Team Orientation Webinar
Please contact Christy Gabbard christy@chesapeakefoodshed.net with ideas for CFN webinars!
