FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 24, 2016

Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106
ajerome@nfudc.org

WASHINGTON (August 24, 2016) – The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is set to have broad impacts on the farming community, and National Farmers Union (NFU) is now positioned to help ensure produce growers and processors with the information and training they need to comply with the new law.

NFU received a $1.5 million grant from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today to begin working with collaborators on resources and training opportunities to enhance FSMA compliance.  In particular, NFU and its partners – National Young Farmers Coalition, Washington and Maryland State Departments of Agriculture, Cornell University, New England Farmers Union, Deep South Food Alliance and others – will deliver outreach and training to diversified, sustainable, organic, and identity-preserved farmers and processors.

“NFU is proud to take the lead on making sure producers and processors are aware of and prepared for potential impacts that the new FSMA requirements will have on their operations,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “We are appreciative that the FDA is taking steps to ensure our nation’s family producers receive the technical assistance and training required to comply with the vast changes to our nation’s food safety laws.”

Through the FDA grant, NFU will work with national, state, and local organizations across the country to provide specialized training and resources to meet the needs of local food producers and processors.

“These collaborators allow our team to utilize a nationwide advocacy and educational network, while teaming with local organizations that work directly with small and mid-size food producers,” said Johnson. “NFU looks forward to collaborating with all organizations that serve the stakeholder community.”

Starting immediately, NFU will be conducting needs assessments, developing training plans and educational materials, and evaluating the impact the program has on the local producer audience. More information on NFU’s proposal is available on the NFU website.

National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

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