Jefferson Farms.0rg

Understanding The New Federal Food Safety Act

Heard about the Food Safety Act? Wonder how it might impact you?  The Food and Drug Administration Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), also known as the Food Safety Act or S. 510, was signed into law on January 4, 2011.  The Act amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to safety of the food supply.  The Act is aimed at helping the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prevent food safety problems, and it gives FDA new enforcement authorities and new tools for managing imported foods. 

For a very informative FAQ about the act, check out this web page.

Regional Food Roundtable Less Than Two Weeks Away

The public regional food forum roundtable for the Eastern Panhandle is coming up in less than two weeks.   Hosted by the Morgan County Extension Office in Berkeley Springs on Monday May 2nd, this public discussion will be one of six state-wide in West Virginia to assist in drafting a grass-roots based state food policy document and is actively seeking input from producers, processors, distributors and consumers. To register, vist the WV Food & Farm Coalition Registration Page. We'll be there.

Final Rule Good News for Farm to School

The Food and Nutrition Service of the USDA released today the final rule on the "Geographic Preference Option for the Procurement of Unprocessed Agricultural Products in Child Nutrition Programs,"  which clarifies the conditions under which schools can choose to buy their food from local sources.  The rule is set to take effect May 23rd, which makes it too late for this school year, but just fine for the coming year.

Panhandle Food Systems Roundtable - May 2

The West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition is hosting a series of regional roundtables to discuss development of a WV food charter / state food policy. Each of the six regions will have it own meeting, promoted through a partnership between the West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition, West Virginia University Extension Services, the WV Department of Education, WV Community Development Hub, and local partners.

The purpose of the meetings is to discuss what is needed to strengthen our state's local food economy and to get more healthy, locally-farmed food to the plates and forks of West Virginians. Individuals, businesses, organizations & agencies involved with farming, gardening, food processing, food storage and distribution, grocery stores and restaurants, 4H and FFA , institutional food service, nutrition and food assistance programs, and food distribution through food banks, food pantries, and soup kitchens.

The meeting for the Potomac Headwaters / Eastern Panhandle will be in Berkeley Springs on

May 2: Potomac Headwaters / Eastern Panhandle Region
6:30-8:30pm, Panorama at the Peak restaurant
3299 Cacapon Rd., Berkeley Springs, WV

Register for this roundtable - Click Here!    

Download Printable Invitation     

Download Press Release

Can Federal Policy Changes Help Grow Local Food Systems?

Strong local and regional food systems are essential to healthy, equitable, and sustainable systems of food and agriculture. Although originating within individual communities and regions, such local systems are nevertheless profoundly impacted by federal agriculture policies. At the heart of federal policy are the farm bill and its program of commodity crop price supports that have contributed to the dominance of large, industrialized farms over smaller operations. What are the opportunities for leveling the playing field? Read the article at:  bioscienceresource.org