About

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), through an FDA grant, has been working to understand the scope of produce grown in Idaho that is covered by the Produce Safety Rule. Throughout this year and the next several years, ISDA will provide outreach, education and technical assistance to farmers and producers to help them comply with the Produce Safety Rule.

The goal of this grant is to implement an integrated food-safety program that will prevent or significantly reduce the likelihood of a foodborne illness through standardized and consistent implementation of the Produce Safety Rule (PSR).

ISDA formed a FSMA advisory committee in 2015 to help provide leadership and guidance to Idaho agencies on the implementation of the FSMA rules. Members include representatives from each sector of the agriculture industry and businesses that may be affected by FSMA. This committee is essential to the implementation of the Produce Safety Rule in Idaho.

Compliance dates, exemptions and more information for Idaho produce growers can be viewed on the ISDA website.

University of Idaho Extension provides reliable, research based education and information to help people, businesses and communities solve problems, develop skills and build a better future.

University of Idaho Extension, in partnership with the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, is working to meet the education and outreach needs of produce growers across Idaho. Funding through this partnership has enabled Extension to offer the following resources to Idaho producers:

• A full time associate Extension educator focused on commercial produce safety
• Faculty members across the state trained and certified to teach Produce Safety Alliance courses and conduct On Farm Readiness Reviews prior to possible inspection
• Produce Safety Alliance courses offered statewide at significantly reduced cost to Idaho growers
• Web resources, including an easy to use, online decision tool to help growers anonymously self-determine their likely compliance or exemption status

Work has also begun identifying and developing supplemental instructional materials, videos and Idaho-specific communications to assist produce growers in implementing Good Agricultural Practices and complying with the Produce Safety Rule.