The goal of produce industry is the safest crops in the nation
Cloudy, humid and cool is not the best weather for our leafy greens, but we have little control over the weather. The Salinas Valley in California has had another occurrence of E. coli in Romaine lettuce. As of now, the who, when, where and how questions have not been answered by the Food and Drug Administration and the Center for Disease Control.
There is nothing more stressful and costly for the Yuma County produce growers than to have to deal with the fallout from a food safety failure. The problem has occurred as one growing area is winding down its production and Yuma is starting its production season.
In the days before food safety, there were many things that were common practice but now are strictly forbidden. The agricultural industry appreciates everyone who follows the new regulations and helps to protect our winter vegetable quality and quantity.
Federal agencies, the state departments and local grower associations are working even harder to make sure all of our leafy greens are of the highest quality and safety. It needs to be noted that much of the state and federal regulations concerning food safety were developed and promoted in Yuma County.
In an effort to better organize and protect the integrity of leafy green vegetables grown and shipped from the state, those who are directly involved in Arizona leafy green industry established the Arizona Leafy Greens Food Safety Committee (Arizona Leafy Greens) in 2007. The members of this group ensure that Arizona’s leafy greens meet mandatory food safety standards upheld with audits conducted by government-certified inspectors.
Arizona Leafy Green Products Shipper Marketing Agreement (AZ LGMA) members work collaboratively to protect public health by reducing potential sources of contamination in Arizona grown leafy greens.
The FDA in November 2015 established the Food Safety Modernization Act which establishes for the first time science-based minimum standards for safe growing, harvesting, packing and holding of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption.
Specific criteria now exist for water quality; biological soil amendments; growing of sprouts; proximity to domesticated and wild animals; worker training, health and hygiene; and equipment, tools and buildings.
Looking at the list of dayto-day activities involved in the production of leafy greens and other vegetable crops, it is obvious that this is not your historical farming operation. The personnel, equipment, training and money spent to keep your produce safe is paid by the grower. The cost to the all the links in the chain of leafy greens from fields to your table is conservatively 10 cents or more per head grown.
The grower only has control of the crop up to harvest, then the packers, shippers, coolers, salad plants, transportation, distribution, storage and individual sales are beyond their control.
The produce industry is continually improving growing practices, monitoring the quality of water used for irrigation, treating it if needed, and increasing training of all individuals who have anything to do with the growing of our winter vegetables.
Our goal is the safest produce crops in the nation.
Bobbi Stevenson-McDermott is a retired soil and water conservationist. She can be reached at rjsm09@ msn.com.
Learn about internships at chamber breakfast on Thursday
The Yuma County Chamber of Commerce will host its “Good Morning Yuma!” breakfast on Thursday, from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., at the Pivot Point Conference Center, 200 N. Madison Ave.
The sponsor, Yuma Union High School District, invites guests to learn about opportunities to get involved, including serving on advisory boards, attending campus tours and providing internship opportunities to help retain these amazing young leaders in the local community.
The event will include a lot of local business information, events, community happenings and more. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early for parking, check-in and networking.
Doten Photography will be photographing the event, and guests may enter a chance to win the 1st Bank Yuma selfie challenge prize.
Also, United Way of Yuma County will be there with its Hyundai of Yuma car raffle. Learn more at this event.
The cost is $25 for general admission and only $15 for chamber members. For more information, call the chamber at 928-782-2567.
Entrepreneur mixer, clothing drive set for Tuesday
The Yuma Entrepreneur Show Mixer and Clothing Drive will be held 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday at The Legacy on Main, 185 S. Main St.
The clothing drive will benefit the No Mercy TFE (Train for Everything) youth boxing mentor program. Free entrance with donation.
The goal of YES is promote the stories of entrepreneurs in the Yuma area and help them explore the community services that