FDA Grants to Help States Comply with FSMA Produce Rule

Dan Industry News Release, Vegetables

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing $30.9 million in funding to support 43 states in their continued efforts to help implement the Food Safety Modernization Act’s (FSMA) produce safety rule. The funds represent the largest total of grants made available by the FDA to support compliance with the rule, which seeks to update and strengthen the FDA’s …

Researchers Hope to Help Find Sites to Grow Tomorrow’s Produce

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Vegetables

by Brad Buck, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences University of Florida researchers are sounding a warning bell that fresh produce may be hard to come by in the future. Scientists with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences cite changes in our climate, loss of fresh water and competition for resources as major threats to farmers’ …

Chlorine Dioxide Pouches Can Make Produce Safer and Reduce Spoilage

Dan Research, Vegetables

A small plastic pouch, half the size of a credit card, could soon make the nation’s produce safer by killing off pathogens that make people sick. The pouch, developed with help from Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists, releases chlorine dioxide gas, which eliminates E. coli and other pathogens from the surfaces of fruits and vegetables. Worrell Water Technologies of Delray Beach, Florida, hopes …

Florida Commissioner’s Spotlight: FRESH! Recipe – Balsamic Watermelon

Dan FL Commissioner Report, Florida, Fruits

On this week’s Commissioner’s Spotlight, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam is joined by Executive Chef Justin Timineri to talk about a tasty new way to enjoy watermelon, Fresh From Florida! Ingredients: Watermelon Slices 6-12 slices of fresh Florida watermelon 4-6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled Mint Oil 1/2 cup olive oil 20-25 fresh mint leaves 2 tablespoons fresh parsley Sea …

Do You Love Watermelon in the Hot Summer? University of Florida scientists are on the case

Dan Florida, Fruits, Research

by Brad Buck, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Some people love to eat a juicy, seedless watermelon for a tasty, refreshing snack during a hot, Florida summer day. University of Florida scientists have found a way to stave off potential diseases while retaining that flavor. Consumers increasingly savor the convenience and taste of seedless watermelons, said Xin …

Specialty Crop Farmers Weigh in on NAFTA

Dan Industry News Release, Specialty Crops

The House Ag Committee held a 2018 Farm Bill hearing last weekend in Florida. Farm groups and producers attended the session hoping to influence legislators as they put the new bill together. A Pork Network Dot Com article says the top of mind concerns included the farm safety net, agricultural research, and marketing. The upcoming renegotiation of the North American …