Small Farm Food Safety, Fresh Produce—Part 4: Farm Map Activity1
Small Farm Food Safety, Fresh Produce is a short, interactive training program that introduces food-safety concepts as applied to fresh produce. The concepts are based on the FDA's Guide to Minimized Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (FDA-GAPs).
Part 4 consists of an individual exercise followed by a group discussion centered on identifying potential hazards for microbial infection.
Time Required: 8 minutes
Materials for Trainer
Farm Map Activity included on the DVD*.
Advance Preparation for Trainer
Review Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, US Dept. of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, October 1998.
Preview materials in this section to prepare yourself to facilitate the learning experience.
Materials for Participants
Farm Map Activity worksheet included on the DVD.*
Objectives
Application objective: Participants will be able to manage the physical characteristics of their farms to minimize microbial contamination hazards.
Learning objective: Participants will be able to identify potential contamination points in a farm operation.
Procedure
Make copies of the farm map (Figure 1) in this document for all participants.
Distribute one map to each participant.
Draw participants' attention to the numbered items on the map.
This is an individual exercise. Have each participant write down all of the potential hazards for microbial contamination they can identify for each of the numbered items on the map.
Lead a group discussion. Ask individual participants to describe the potential hazards for each numbered item. Get them to describe potential solutions as well. Call on as many participants as possible.
The key points for discussion are provided in this guide. If these points are not brought up by participants, bring them up yourself.
Key points
1. Surface water source for irrigation
This is a potential hazard for microbial contamination because the water source is open to livestock, which creates a potential hazard of fecal contamination.
Adequate fencing around the water source is one potential solution.
Additional methods for protecting surface waters are diversion berms, runoff control structures, and vegetative buffers.
2. Overhead irrigation piping
This method of irrigation can have an effect on food safety if the water quality is poor. The producer needs to test for potential microbial contaminants.
Growers may want to consider irrigation practices that minimize contact between water and the edible portion of the crop.
Growers may want to consider low-volume sprays, drip, furrow, or underground irrigation as part of their overall program, where available and appropriate.
3. Unmanaged forest
This land use creates minimal risk, but if the area harbors large concentrations of wildlife (such as deer or waterfowl) that enter the field, there is the possibility of animal fecal contamination.
Control of wild animal populations may be difficult. However, to the extent possible, growers should try to use agricultural practices to deter or redirect wildlife to areas that are not used to produce fresh produce. Federal, state, or local animal protection rules and regulations must be observed, including those that protect endangered species.
4. Compost heap
Manure storage or treatment sites close to fresh produce fields or packinghouses increase the risk of microbial contamination. Manure storage and treatment sites should be situated as far as practicable from these areas.
The minimum distance necessary will depend on many factors, including farm layout and the slope of the land, what runoff controls are in place, the likelihood of wind or heavy rainfall, and the quantity of manure and how it is contained.
Some method of physical containment should also be considered. Examples include concrete blocks, soil berms, pits, or lagoons.
5. Covered washbasin
The triple-wash sink shown is located in a convenient location to the field and is in a covered area that can minimize contamination from wildlife and other sources.
6. Orchard
The location of the orchard next to the field should not lead to microbial contamination.
The Next Step
Part 5 asks participants to think critically about ways that they can encourage behaviors to enhance food safety within their own operations.
*To obtain copies of the DVD that accompanies this publication, please contact the UF/IFAS Extension Bookstore at 1-800-226-1764 or order online at http://ifasbooks.ifas.ufl.edu/.
