Category: Facility Operations
Additional $1.3B in specialty crop funds available
A second round of MASC program payments will provide up to $1.3 billion to help specialty crop producers remain competitive
Mission Produce opening avocado packinghouse in Guatemala
Mission Produce, a leader in sourcing, producing and distributing fresh Hass avocados, is opening a packinghouse in Guatemala
Trump suggests plan for undocumented farmworkers to gain legal status
Donald Trump floated plan to allow undocumented agricultural workers who voluntarily leave the country to gain legal status upon re-entry.
Modern X-ray systems can multitask to ensure food safety
X-ray inspection equipment has moved beyond product safety into other areas of quality control for various product and packaging types.
Online water management platform gaining global traction
Launched in January, WaterManage4You is a new, free online tool that aims to help produce processors improve food safety in process water.
Microbial die-off: A complicated path to mitigate water contamination
April 7 is the first compliance date for the new provisions of the preharvest water rules under the FSMA’s Produce Safety Rule
Equitable Food Initiative streamlining certification process
Workforce development and certification organization Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) is streamlining its worker certification process.
FPS Food Process Solutions investing in US facilities
FPS Food Process Solutions has invested in a 140,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Saginaw, Michigan, to bolster its U.S. production
Legislation aims to buoy young growers’ access to farmland
Legislation introduced April 1 aims to address the future of farming by helping young farmers and ranchers access farmland.
FDA extends deadline to meet enhanced traceability requirements
FDA to extend the compliance date for FSMA 204 by 30 months. The rule was to have taken effect in January 2026.
ReposiTrak expands data-sharing capabilities of traceability network
ReposiTrak has expanded the capabilities of its automated network to allow suppliers to share traceability data with any customer.
2024 Census of Horticultural Specialties data being collected through April
Data is being collected through April 18 for the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service 2024 Census of Horticultural Specialties.
Defect details: Metal detection vs. X-ray
While metal detection and X-ray inspection can both detect metal contaminants, X-ray offers greater capabilities for foreign body detection.
PACK EXPO Southeast kicks off next month
PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, is gearing up for PACK EXPO Southeast, set for March 10-12 in Atlanta.
Course to educate Michigan food entrepreneurs about grant writing
A new course offered by Michigan State University Extension will help Michigan food and farm business owners learn more about grant writing
Fresh-cut vegetable, salad producer closing NJ warehouse
Ready Pac Produce, which makes salad and other plant-based meals, is closing a New Jersey distribution center to improve efficiency.