Small Farms Food Safety Listening Sessions

The first Small Farms Listening Session will be held this Thursday, July 22nd
from 10AM-12PM at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services, Doyle Conner Building, Division of Plant Industry Auditorium, 1911
Southwest 34th Street, Gainesville, Florida 32608.

FDACS has released the information for the second meeting to be held
Tallahassee meeting (see below).

DATE AND TIME: August 3, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.PLACE:
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Doyle Conner
Building, Eyster Auditorium, 3125 Conner Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-
1650
.................................................................................
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Food Safety announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.
DATE and TIME: July 22, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
PLACE: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Doyle Conner Building, Division of Plant Industry Auditorium, 1911 Southwest 34th Street, Gainesville, Florida 32608.
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: The Small Farm Subcommittee of the Florida Food Safety and Food Defense Advisory Council will hold a public meeting to receive comments and input relative to charges issued by the 2010 Legislature. The charge states as follows: In accordance with section 500.033, Florida Statutes, the Florida Food Safety and Food Defense Advisory Council shall assess the food safety requirements for food permits that govern small farm facilities permitted as food establishments. The council will complete the assessment and report its findings to the Commissioner of Agriculture by December 1, 2010. The department shall submit recommendations to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives by December 31, 2010, focusing on the most efficient and effective ways to ensure food safety while minimizing the cost to small farmers. The report is due to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by December 31, 2010.

For more information, you may contact: Carol Windham, Division of Food Safety, at 850-245-5595

Information regarding the activities of the Council is on this page of the FDACS web site. http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/food_defense_advisory_council/small_farm_sub_committee.html.

If you cannot make the listening sessions they are also accepting written recommendations and questions. These can be directed to Sarah Ogelsby at oglesbs@doacs.state.fl.us