Producers, Processors Invited to Join Produce Listening Session Via Phone or Internet

News provided by

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

May 12, 2010, 10:30 ET

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Produce growers, food processors and other interested members of the public unable to attend a May 13 session in Harrisburg on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's new produce handling rule may listen to the proceedings via a webcast or conference call, Agriculture Secretary Russell C. Redding said today.

Given how important agriculture and the food processing industry is to Pennsylvania's economy, Redding said it is vital for stakeholders to take this opportunity to gather information on the new rule so that they can keep pace with changing federal regulations.

"Pennsylvania is a national leader in the production of a safe, abundant food supply and our produce growers and food processors are in position to offer valuable insight in national food safety discussions," said Redding. "It is critical that the industry's stakeholders take an active role in this opportunity to help shape federal policy, that's why we're offering these additional means by which to participate."

The session will be held from 9 a.m. – noon at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center. Those attending in person should arrive by 8:30 a.m.

The listening session is open to the public and registration is requested. To register, contact Jared Grissinger at 717-705-9513 or [email protected].

Those joining the session online or by phone will not have the opportunity to ask questions.

To watch the session via webcast, visit http://www.pameetingplace.com/onsync/join.php?id=bb55199742cf64931bfbeb9e559134b9&afid=0&pw.

To listen by phone, call 1-866-266-9978, use conference ID: 717-787-1413#, passcode: 4041#, then record your name.

Redding, state Health Secretary Everette James and FDA Deputy Commissioner for Foods Michael R. Taylor will attend the listening session to hear concerns and answer questions from those in the room. The session will also feature presentations by produce industry professionals, including:

Nila Cogan, Hilltop Growers, Somerset County, representing the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau;
Jeff Stolzfus, Lancaster County, representing Pennsylvania's plain community;
H. Lee Showalter, Rice Fruit Co., Adams County, representing Pennsylvania's apple industry;
Brian Snyder, Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture; and
Laura Phelps, American Mushroom Institute, Washington, D.C., representing Pennsylvania's mushroom growers and processors.