Produce Bites features MSU Extension Educators, Michigan Produce Safety Technicians, fruit and vegetable growers, and others in the industry to talk about anything and everything related to produce safety. Join us as we discuss how growers are implementing food safety on their farm, challenges relating to food safety, and clarification on certain aspects of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule.
"Bacteria cannot walk, but they can swim." In this episode, we dive into the science behind washing produce and its impact on both produce safety and product quality. Originally recorded March 2025
In this episode, we’re joined by Annalisa Hultberg, a Food Safety Extension Educator with the University of Minnesota Extension, and Ariel Pressman, Principal Consultant with Whole Farm Strategies. Together, they share practical tips for building a low-cost packshed. From structures and flooring to essential equipment, they break down how growers can create an efficient wash/pack space without…
This episode features Nick Panicola, a Produce Safety Technician for the Grand Traverse Conservation District, and Dr. Kevin Tarwa, a recent University of Maryland doctoral graduate. They discuss Dr. Tarwa’s research on harvested rainwater and what it means for produce safety.
This episode features Carrie Fitzpatrick, a Food Safety Consultant through Wilbur-Ellis, and Morgan Anderson, a Produce Safety Technician with the Ottawa Conservation District. Together, they break down what regenerative agriculture really means, address common misconceptions about balancing regenerative practices with food safety, and compare PRIMUS and GAP audit expectations with the…
This podcast episode features Allissa Conley, a Produce Safety Technician with the Newaygo Conservation District, and Tess Van Gorder, the Conservation & Regulatory Relations Specialist with Michigan Farm Bureau. Tess goes over what Michigan growers need to know when it comes to wastewater discharge and the groundwater discharge permit process.
In this episode, Produce Safety Technicians Micah Hutchison and Landen Tetil discuss how to find a balance between eco-friendly practices and produce safety on the farm. Supplemental Resources: Factors to Consider When Purchasing Used Produce Equipment (Article) Building a Low-Cost Wash Pack (Video)
Beginning farmer educators and partners from across Michigan have come together to author a beginning farmer curriculum, rooted in participatory action learning, to offer a solid foundation for beginning farmer training programs. In this episode, Mariel Borgman and Kathy Sample talk through their contributions to the curriculum and how these modules can support effective learning and engagement…
This episode features Phil Tocco, an MSU Extension Educator for on-farm produce safety, and Claire Murphy, an assistant professor and extension specialist in produce safety at Washington State University. Claire discusses their research on the safety of postharvest water, including how they’re sampling for sanitizer levels and the presence of bacteria. Together, Phil and Claire share best…
This episode features Phil Tocco, an MSU Extension Produce Safety Educator, and Michelle Danyluk, a professor and extension specialist in microbiological food safety at the University of Florida. Michelle shares what her and her colleagues have learned from their research on cleaning and sanitizing leafy greens harvesters, and offers practical advice for how growers can keep their equipment clean.