Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience: The primary audiences for this project are small-and mid-scale organic food processors in California, Washington and Oregon. The project saw 581 attendees at workshops, webinars and trainings, comprised of 418 individuals. There were 528 attendees at the project webinars (duplicated attendance), and 365 individual participants (unduplicated). Of the webinar attendees, 221 (41.9%) were involved in processing. There were 116 (22.0%) who owned, operated or managed a processing facility and 120 (22.7%) who were employees of processing facilities. Of the 221 processor affiliated attendees, 42 (19.0%) were from small businesses (less than $350,000 gross cash income); 18 (8.1%) were from mid-sized businesses (between $350,000 and $999,999), and 46 (20.8%) were from large businesses ($1,000,000 or more gross cash income), and 115 (52%) did not identify their business size. There were 138 (26.1%) farm owners, managers and operators, along with farm employees, who attended the webinars. Of those, 115 (21.8%) identified as owners, managers and operators, and 37 (7.0%) as farm employees. A few identified as both. Attendees also identified as educators (extension, consultant, university, etc.) (48 / 9.1%), Government employees (29 / 5.5%), nonprofit employees (25 / 4.7%), Trade industry (11 / 2.1%), students (11 / 2.1% ), and other (66 / 12.5%). Some people identified with more than one occupation. Of all the attendees, 235 (44.5%) identified as female, 135 (25.6%) identified as male, 2 (0.4%) identified as non-binary, 164 (31.1%) either preferred not to say or gave no response. Regarding race and ethnicity, the respondents identified as American Indian or Alaskan Native (6 / 1.1%); Asian (30 / 5.7%); Black, African American, or Afro Caribbean (9 / 1.7%); Latinx or Hispanic (81 / 15.3%); Middle Eastern or North African (7 / 1.3%); Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (7 / 1.3%); White or European (219/ 41.5%); or preferred not to say/no response (193 / 36.6%). An additional 53 people attended workshops and trainings hosted by this grant. Demographic information on these attendees was not collected. Changes/Problems: Unexpected Outcomes: One unexpected outcome for the project is the number of views the webinar recordings have received on the CCOF YouTube channel. As of August 4, 2023, webinar recordings have been viewed 2,657 times. The individual videos and the number of views each received, in order of most viewed to least viewed: "Cottage Food Laws in CA and WA - CCOF Foundation" - 861 views "FSMA Preventative Controls Rule, Hazard Analysis- CCOF Foundation " - 247 views "FSMA Preventive Controls Rule, Validation Webinar for Organic Food Processors- CCOF Foundation" - 239 views "FSMA Preventative Controls Rule, Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) - CCOF Foundation" - 229 views "FSMA 101 For Organic Food Processors (CA) - CCOF Foundation" - 218 views "FSMA Produce Safety 101 for Small Organic Farms Part 2- CCOF Foundation" - 213 views "FSMA Produce Safety 101 for Small Organic Farms Part 1- CCOF Foundation" - 206 views "FSMA Preventative Controls Rule, Fully Covered Category (CA ) - CCOF Foundation "-172 views "FSMA Preventative Controls Rule, Qualified Exemption (CA) - CCOF Foundation" - 106 views "FSMA Preventative Controls Rule, Qualified Exemptions (WA) - CCOF Foundation" - 99 views "FSMA Preventative Controls Rule, Fully Covered Category (WA) - CCOF Foundation" - 67 views Problems: There was an error in the scoring of the evaluations for webinars #1 through webinar #6 resulting in unusable data. The question "Please indicate to what extent your knowledge has increased, if at all, as a result of this webinar" had answer options that were weighted incorrectly. The following error occurred in the scoring for the answer options: 5- a great amount, 4 - a good amount, 3- a moderate amount, 4- a small amount, 5- not at all. Data for this question for webinars was invalid and not used. Once the problem was identified, the survey was corrected, and subsequent data was used to evaluate knowledge increase. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project manager, CCOF's Education Manager, Molly Nakahara, attended the Annual Western Regional Center to Enhance Food Safety (WRCEFS) conference and learned about current Food Safety research and best practices. Ms. Nakahara also attends monthly WRCEFS meetings and received updates from partner organizations.? How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results and activities of this project have been disseminated to communities of interest through blog posts, e-newsletter articles, and presentations at conferences.? What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The long term goal of the Multi-state Initiative is to Support Organic Food Processors with Food Safety Compliance project is to create a culture of informed food-safety decision making, consistent compliance and a more complete understanding of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) in California, Washington and Oregon's small-and mid-scale organic food processor community. The objectives of this project are: 1. Assist small-and mid-sized certified organic processors in complying with FSMA requirements; 2. Increase small-organic processor knowledge of FSMA requirements; 3. Increase small, organic processor understanding of the PCHF and Good Manufacturing Practices, outlined in FSMA and infectious disease control; 4. Increase small organic processor implementation of the PCHF and good manufacturing practices. Here is what was accomplished under these goals: Objective 1. Assist small-and mid-sized certified organic processors in complying with FSMA requirements. Objective 2. Increase small-organic processor knowledge of FSMA requirements. Activities: To meet the objective of assisting small-and mid-sized certified organic processors in complying with FSMA requirements, this project divided the FSMA into focused subject areas and, based on those, produced 13 webinars, a 2-day Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) grower training, and an in-person Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) training for small and mid-sized certified organic processors. The trainings are designed to introduce processors to FSMA and then guide them sequentially through specific subject areas. Each webinar was offered a la carte, recorded, and posted to the CCOF YouTube channel for later viewing. Data collected: Webinar attendees were asked to complete a survey at the end of each webinar in which they indicated how the training had impacted their increase in knowledge, if the course met their expectations, and the likelihood of implementing what they had learned. There was an average survey response rate of 26% for the 13 webinars (126 surveys submitted out of a total of 528 attendees.) Examples of questions asked include: "Please indicate to what extent your knowledge has increased, if at all, as a result of this webinar (5-a great amount, 4-a good amount, 3-a moderate amount, 2-a small amount, 1-not at all)" "How likely are you to implement something that you learned today? (5-definitely, 4-likely, 3-somewhat likely, 2-slightly likely, 1-not at all likely)" PSA grower training had a survey response rate of 21% (6 surveys submitted by 28 attendees) and the PCQI training had a response rate of 84% (21 evaluations submitted by 25 attendees.) The PCQI training was the only training in this project that was in person. It was also the only training that allotted a significant amount of time during the actual workshop for attendees to submit evaluations. Questions of these evaluations included: "Do you feel that the level of FSMA Produce Safety Rule info provided was sufficient to guide you in implementing regulatory requirements? (yes / no)" "This Module increased my knowledge of produce safety requirements in the FSMA Produce Safety Rule (strongly disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, strongly agree)" "I am confident that I can develop a food safety plan (strongly disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, strongly agree)" Summary statistics and discussion of results: 77% of webinar attendees who submitted the survey reported an increase in knowledge, and 81% reported a likelihood of implementing something learned. 94% of attendees surveyed at Produce Safety Alliance trainings and Preventative Controls Qualified Individual trainings reported an increase in knowledge, and 94% reported the likelihood of implementing strategies learned. Key outcomes: Overall, these statistics show that trainings were effective in helping the target audience learn about and be in compliance with the FSMA. Objective 3. Increase small, organic processor understanding of the PCHF and Good Manufacturing Practices, outlined in FSMA and infectious disease control. Activities: 6 webinars directly addressed the Preventative Controls for Human Food (PCHF) rule, with cumulative attendance of 176 people. They include: Webinars 3 & 4: FSMA Preventive Controls Rule Qualified Exemption (CA 10/13/21, WA 10/12/21) - 54 attendees Webinars 5 & 6: FSMA Preventive Controls Rule Fully Covered Category (CA 12/15/21, WA 12/14/21) - 42 attendees Webinar 11: FSMA Preventative Control Rule, Hazard Analysis (CA + WA 3/8/22) - 48 attendees Webinar 12: FSMA Preventative Control Rule, Validation for Organic Processors (CA + WA 3/22/22) - 32 attendees These webinars are also posted on the CCOF YouTube channel and have collectively received almost 1500 views. Data collected: Participants completed surveys at the end of each training in which they indicated how the training had impacted their increase in knowledge, whether the course met their expectations, and the likelihood of implementing what they had learned. Example questions include: "Please indicate to what extent your knowledge has increased, if at all, as a result of this webinar." "How likely are you to implement something that you learned today?" Summary statistics and discussion of results: Survey results for the 6 webinars showed that participants responded with an 80% average likelihood of implementing strategies that they learned during the webinar. For webinars 11 and 12, participants reported an average knowledge increase of 80%. Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized: Recordings of these webinars posted online have been viewed hundreds of times. Attendance numbers and evaluation data suggest that the virtual delivery of food safety compliance information and best practices during the covid-10 pandemic was an effective training strategy for small processors and producers. Objective 4. Increase small organic processor implementation of the PCHF and good manufacturing practices. Activities: "FSMA Preventative Controls Rule, Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) - CCOF Foundation" - 229 views PCQI Training @ UC Davis (in-person), 3/28-3/30/2023 - 25 attendees Webinar 7 Current Good Manufacturing Practices + COVID 19 Best Practices WA, 12/14/21, 25 attendees Webinar 8 Current Good Manufacturing Practices + COVID 19 Best Practices CA, 12/15/21, 57 attendees Data collected: Participants at webinar 7 and webinar 8 were asked the question "How likely are you to implement something that you learned today? 5-definitely, 4-likely, 3-somewhat likely, 2- slightly likely, 1-not likely at all). Participants at the PCQI training were asked to rate the statement "I will be able to apply the knowledge and skills learned in this course to develop a food safety plan" on a scale of 1-unsatisfactory to 5-exceptional Summary statistics and discussion of results: The average response for webinar 7 was 4-likely, and for webinar 8, 3-somewhat likely to implement Good Manufacturing Practices introduced during the events. The average score for the question asked at the PCQI training was 4.75 which indicates a strong likelihood that participants were motivated to apply the knowledge they gained in the training. Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized: Participants who attended virtual training on Preventative Controls for Human Food and good manufacturing practices are likely to implement strategies that they learned. ?
Publications
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Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:The primary audiences for this project are small-and mid-scale organic food processors in California, Washington, and Oregon. Overall, there were 542 attendees at the project webinars. Changes/Problems:In August 2022 long time CCOF employee and Senior Education Specialist Meaghan Donovan accepted a role with a new employer. The CCOF Foundation has just hired her replacement and is currently onboarding them. This person will be tasked with overseeing the implementation of the final deliverables of this project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?As noted above, four webinars on FSMA related topics for organic processors were planned during the first year of the project and executed during the second year of the grant. In the second year of the grant, an additional five webinars were planned and executed. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Marketing materials for all the webinars in this series, including webpage, direct emails, and/or flyers, were distributed to the following communication networks CCOF Email communications sent to 18,000 general contacts, including 7,169 organic food processor/handler contacts Email communications were linked to the event pages posted on the CCOF website University of California, Davis Email communication sent through instructor's direct email list:150 contacts Website Postings Food Safety Team Department Webpage: 8,000 visitors a month University of California Food Safety Website: 3,000 visitors a month Washington State University (WSU) WSU listserve: 1998 contacts Other outreach: Ran an ad in Morning Ag Clips in the CA, OR, and WA editions. Ad ran each day for two weeks before each webinar Washington State Department of Agriculture Email communications sent to 807 organic food processor/handler contacts In addition, the series was advertised through professional networks and partner organizations, including but not limited to Western Regional Center to Enhance Food Safety, California Farmer Educator Network, National Center for Appropriate Technology/ATTRA, and the Food Systems Leadership Network COVID-19 Response Listserv. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Develop an action plan for and deliver two in-person PCQI workshops to be hosted in 2023.This will complete the deliverables of the grant.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During the first year of this grant the project team from CCOF, University California, Davis, Washington State University, and the Washington State Department of Agriculture the project team developed curriculum, marketing materials, and evaluation tools for a series of eight webinars to be run between September 2021 and December 2021. See below for the topic and scheduled dates for the FSMA 101 for Organic Processors webinar series, or visit the FSMA 101 for Organic Processors webpage. Webinar #1 - FSMA 101 for Organic Food Processors (review of FSMA compliance categories for processors) Washington Webinar - September 14, 2021 - 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time California Webinar- September 15, 2021 - 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time Webinar #2 - FSMA Preventive Controls Rule Qualified Exemption Washington Webinar - October 12, 2021 - 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time California Webinar- October 13, 2021 - 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time Webinar #3 - FSMA Preventive Controls Rule Fully Covered Category Washington Webinar - November 9, 2021 - 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time California Webinar- November 10, 2021 - 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time Webinar #4 - Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) Washington Webinar - December 14, 2021 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Pacific Time California Webinar- December 15, 2021 - 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time In addition to the above-mentioned webinars, we also planned and implemented the following webinars in 2022: Additional webinars that were planned and implemented include: Webinar #5: Hazard Analysis for Organic Food Processors Aimed at organic processor who are confused about what types of food safety preventive controls needed to implement in their operations. During this webinar, we walked participants through hazard analysis, the first step to implementing preventive controls. We will also covered the rationale for when a hazard is elevated to requiring preventive control versus a hazard that will be controlled by Current Good Manufacturing Practices. Participants also received useful resources to assist them in conducting a hazard analysis of their business's processing facility. Date/Time: January 25, 2021 - 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time Webinar #6 & 7: FSMA Produce Safety 101 for Small Organic Farms In response to requests from organic processors seeking more information on the FSMA Produce Safety Rule, we have added two webinars to this series on the topic. During the webinars, we'll review the fundamentals of on-farm food safety for small and very small organic produce farms, as well as discuss Produce Safety Rule compliance requirements for small farms. Attendees gained tips on how to improve produce safety on their farms and work towards compliance with the Produce Safety Rule as their business grows. We will also reviewed how to determine if a farm is considered a processor or a "farm-mixed-type facility" under the FSMA regulations. Time/Date: Part 1 - February 8, 2022 - 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time Part 2 - February 15, 2022 - 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time Webinar #8: Validation for Organic Processors Validation is required for process preventive controls as outlined in the FSMA Preventive Controls Rule. Validation is data that provides evidence that the process preventive control implemented will control the identified hazard. Validation studies can include existing data generated by others or can include in-house studies conducted by a food processor. In this webinar, we used examples of different food products requiring various process preventive controls to illustrate the type of data required for validation. We highlighted useful sources of existing data and resources for those that may need to conduct an in-house validation study. Date/Time: March 22, 2022 - 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time Date/Time: March 22, 2022 - 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time Webinar #9: Cottage Food Laws in California and Washington State Nearly every state in the United States has a cottage food law that allows for the sale of low-risk foods produced in a home kitchen. However, these laws vary widely between states. Differences include types of products that can be made and sold, annual sales limits, as well as how/where the food can be sold. In this webinar, we covered the specifics of the cottage food laws in California and Washington states. We reviewed details on how to get registered, what types of types of licenses needed, and product labeling requirements. Date/Time: April 27, 2022 - 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time
Publications
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Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Organic food processors.? Changes/Problems: We don't have any majorchanges or problems to report at this timeother than we are continuing to monitor COVID-19 public health recommendationsand assessing the best way to host trainings given ongoing COVID concerns.We mayconsiderholdingvirtual trainingsinstead of in-person trainingsto adhere to public healthrequirements, as well as the comfort level of in-person gatherings of our constituents. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?As noted above eight webinarson FSMA related topics for organic processors were planned during the first year of the projectto be executed during the second year of the grant. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Marketing materials for the FSMA 101 for OrganicProcessorsseries, includingwebpage, direct emails, and/orflyers, were distributedto the following communication networks. CCOF Email communications sent to 17,000generalcontacts, including7,169 organicfoodprocessor/handlercontacts Email communications were linked to the eventpagesposted on the CCOF website University ofCalifornia,Davis Email communication sent through instructor's direct email list:150 contacts Website Postings Food Safety TeamDepartment Webpage: 8,000 visitors a month University of California Food Safety Website: 3,000 visitors a month Washington State University(WSU) WSUlistserve:1998 contacts Other outreach: Ran an ad inMorning Ag Clipsin theCA, OR, and WA editions. Ad ran each dayfortwo weeks before each webinar WashingtonStateDepartment ofAgriculture Email communicationssent to 807 organicfoodprocessor/handlercontacts In addition,the series was advertised through professional networks andpartner organizations, including but not limited toWestern Regional Center to Enhance Food Safety, California Farmer Educator Network, National Center for Appropriate Technology/ATTRA,and theFood Systems Leadership Network COVID-19 ResponseListserv. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Broadcast the eight webinars in the series. Runfive additional webinars on topicsgleanedfrom participant surveysfrom our first set of webinars;topics may includehazard analysis andcottage food laws.Developanaction plan forourfivein-personworkshopsto be hostedduring the winter of 2022/2023.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During the first year of this grant the project team from CCOF,University California, Davis, Washington State University, and the Washington State Department of Agriculturethe project team developed curriculum,marketing materials, and evaluation toolsfor a series of eight webinars to be runbetween September 2021 and December 2021.Seebelow for the topic and scheduled datesfor the FSMA 101 for Organic Processors webinar series, or visit theFSMA 101 for Organic Processors webpage.? Webinar #1 - FSMA 101 for Organic Food Processors(review of FSMA compliance categories for processors) Washington Webinar - September 14, 2021 - 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time California Webinar- September 15, 2021 - 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time Webinar #2 - FSMA Preventive Controls Rule Qualified Exemption Washington Webinar - October 12, 2021 - 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time California Webinar- October 13, 2021 - 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time Webinar #3 - FSMA Preventive Controls Rule Fully Covered Category Washington Webinar - November 9, 2021 - 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time California Webinar- November 10, 2021 - 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time Webinar #4 - Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) Washington Webinar - December 14, 2021 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Pacific Time California Webinar- December 15, 2021 - 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time
Publications
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