September/October 2024 - 4

EDITOR'S LETTER
Food safety,
new uses focus
W
elcome to our food safety issue.
With harvest over or ending for
many growers, Vegetable Growers
News examines steps growers are taking
to ensure the safety of the crops they plant,
grow and harvest.
Potential markets for growers' waste
are being explored through a University of
California project that works to transform
farm waste to fuel.
In California's Northern San Joaquin Valley, crop leftovers including
almond shells, fruit peels, orchard trimmings - and likely vegetable
field culls - can be changed to raw materials to create new products.
A $47 million grant from a feedstocks group that supports replacing
fossil feedstocks with renewable biomass sources will study how to
make better use of the region's diverse agricultural waste.
A database and map will display information about the raw plant
materials and biomass that can be broken down and used to make
bioproducts, including feedstock locations and availability.
Something growers should become aware of is the deadline for food
safety compliance has been accelerated. On page 6, we take a look at
why FSMA 204 compliance may be coming faster than growers and
suppliers anticipate.
On page 8, we tell you how processing lines help weed out danger
through removing toxic plants mixed with vegetable crops.
Read how Titan Farms, a major East Coast peach grower,
successfully diversified into vegetables, including bell peppers and
broccoli, on page 12.
Learn how more growers are adopting earth-friendly practices that
reinvigorate soil and aid grower efficiencies through regenerative ag
practices on page 16.
In our Organic Grower section, a story on Strengthening Organic
Systems on page 24 will show you how the organic industry is
safeguarding its reputation through enforcement.
And in his Farm Market & Agritourism column, Brian Moyer on page
30 discusses how farm market operators can better manage increased
customer traffic.
We hope you enjoy the issue!
EDITORIAL
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EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Frank Gasperini
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Simon Huntley
Bob Jones
William Lamont
Carolyn O'Donnell
Chris Pawelski
Rick Snyder
Tim Waters
Ben Werling
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024 | VOLUME 58 | ISSUE 7
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4 | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024
-Doug
September/October 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September/October 2024
