eNEWS
November 2009 > FOG staff testify at hearing on proposed leafy greens marketing agreement, participate in FDA listening session
Florida Organic Growers Executive Director Marty Mesh spoke on behalf of small and mid-sized farmers during a recent hearing and listening session focused on food safety.
Mesh testified at the Oct. 1 Jacksonville Hearing on Proposed Marketing Agreement No. 970. Following his compelling testimony, FOG was contacted by IFAS to assist in development of a FDA listening session Oct. 23 in Gainesville, where Mesh again made statements about the importance of considering small and mid-sized farmers when discussing food saftey legislation. Farmers all over Florida listened in at one of six PolyCom connections and offered their comments. Charley Andrews of Hammock Hollow Herb Farm, a USDA certified organic farm, also made comments at the listening session. The Oct. 23 session followed the first food saftey hearing by the full Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Oct. 22. The anticipated focus of pending Senate action will be the Food Safety Modernization Act (S 510).
For more information about FOG's food saftey work, email fog@foginfo.org or visit www.foginfo.org/foodsafetypolicy.
RESOURCES
FOG Executive Director Marty Mesh Testimony at 10/1 Hearing
FOG Executive Director Marty Mesh Statements at 10/23 Listening Session
President's Food Safety Working Group
National Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement
National Good Food Network Food Safety FAQ
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition "Food Safety on the Farm - Policy Brief and Recommendations" Oct. 09
S.510: FDA Food Safety Modernization Act