Alabama Produce Safety Program

September is Food Safety Education Month!

Whether you’re storing leftovers, packing lunches, firing up the grill, or heading outdoors, safe food-handling practices can help protect you and your family from foodborne illness.

Check out the resources to help you safely store, prepare, and enjoy food at home and on the go.

Find food safety resources: https://www.aces.edu/go/6845

Farmers: Interested in Farm to School? Please use the following link to complete the survey if you have not or if you'd simply like to update your information for our Farm to School team.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2LNDNJQ

Last week, our Produce Safety Team had a great time visiting Munford Middle School and Munford High School to work with their AgriScience classes! 🌱🔎

We turned learning into an adventure with a CSI-style farm investigation! 🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♂️ Students worked together to investigate an issue on a farm, searching for clues, gathering evidence, solving puzzles, and using their critical-thinking skills to make it to the next station.

It was an exciting, hands-on way to learn more about produce safety while putting problem-solving skills to the test! We loved seeing the students engaged, curious, and working together throughout the activity. 👏

A special thank you to the Munford FFA for building us some awesome birdhouses! 🐦🏠 We truly appreciate your hard work and craftsmanship!

Thank you to the students, teachers, and FFA for welcoming our team. We had a fantastic time! 💚

Are you ready for a ?! 🚜

🌱 Calling all Southern pea lovers! 🌱

If you buy, cook, or eat Southern peas, we want to hear from you!

We've partnered with the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) and Mississippi State University Extension to better understand how consumers purchase, handle, prepare, and enjoy Southern peas.

Your feedback will help shape future research and support both growers and consumers. The survey only takes a few minutes to complete, and your input can make a real difference.

Thank you for helping us grow a stronger future for Southern peas!
https://msstate.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/preview/previewId/c7162f42-86a3-4e27-b952-373c70ada6db/SV_5bgL119WeiyjzX8?Q_CHL=preview&Q_SurveyVersionID=current

Alabama heat is here!☀️🔥 When the temps rise, so does the risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke, especially for those working outdoors like our farmers and agriculture workers.

Follow these tips to stay safe in the summer heat:
𝐇𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧– Drink water regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞, 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐭– Shade your face and neck from the sun.
𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐞– Rest and cool down whenever possible.
𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭-𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠– Helps your body breathe and reflect heat.
𝐓𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬– Early mornings and late evenings are safer.

We appreciate your dedication to agriculture and perseverance through another sweltering Alabama summer!

🌱 PSA Grower Training – Virtual Event 🌱
📅 September 15 and 16, 2026
⏰ 1:00–5:00 PM
Learn essential produce safety practices and FSMA requirements, including worker hygiene, water standards, and postharvest handling.
🎓 Certificate provided upon completion!
👩‍🌾 Ideal for growers, farm managers, and produce industry professionals.
👉 Register at: https://agi-app.alabama.gov/FoodSafety/FSMAReg/Default or scan the QR Code on the flyer.
📞 334-546-7457 | 📧 [email protected]