September is #NationalFoodSafetyMonth, join IFPA as we highlight the importance of food safety.

Ensuring food safety is essential as fresh produce journeys from farm to table. At IFPA, our community members gain exclusive access to a wealth of resources, insightful information, interactive webinars, and comprehensive programs that are all designed to keep you informed and up-to-date with the latest top-tier food safety protocols and practices.

Take a look at the offerings IFPA currently has related to food safety:

Produce Safety Immersion Program

The program is comprised of webinars, two in-person trips, virtual seminars, peer connections, and an ongoing mentorship program.

It focuses on developing early-to-mid career professionals with less than five years’ experience in produce safety.?This exclusive program is limited to 20 participants.

FSMA 204 Resources

The FDA’s FSMA 204 Final Food Traceability Rule is in effect now and will start to be enforced on January 20, 2026. This regulation will require all companies across the supply chain, from growers to retailers and foodservice operators, to track and share data that they have never tracked or shared before.?

GAP Harmonization Initiative

In June 2009, the former United Fresh Food Safety Council endorsed a plan to drive harmonization of GAP standards, to reduce audit fatigue and allow operations to focus their food safety resources on achieving food safety, rather than passing audits. This plan evolved into the Produce GAP Harmonization Initiative, an all-industry effort including growers, shippers, produce buyers, government agencies, audit organizations and other stakeholders.

The goal of the harmonized standard is “One audit by any credible third party, acceptable to all buyers.” To achieve this goal, the Initiative developed food safety Good Agricultural Practices standards and audit checklists for pre-harvest and post-harvest operations, applicable to all fresh produce commodities, all sizes of on-farm operations and all regions in the U.S., and has made them available for use by any operation or audit organization at no cost.

Discover the exciting food safety offerings IFPA has in store for you! Dive into our comprehensive resources and stay ahead with the latest protocols and best practices here