Can you sell or serve Wyoming grown produce? – By the Wyoming Department of Agriculture

The Wyoming Department of Agriculture along with local health departments receive inquires on a regular basis on the sale of Wyoming grown produce. Produce, fruit and vegetables have been linked to nationwide recalls and foodborne outbreaks on a regular basis. In the previous year sliver onions served through McDonald’s and whole cantaloupes sold through grocery stores have made headlines. The local food initiative, to “grow and know” has gained popularity across the country with consumers and producers alike, along with the public of Wyoming.

The answer to the question above is yes, you can sell and serve Wyoming grown produce. Buying fresh unprocessed, whole fruits and vegetables from local growers, farmers’ markets or growing your own are great options to incorporate healthy produce in your daily diets.

As always, when buying or selling produce or any potentially hazardous food items it is important to understand the risks involved along with ensuring food remains safe and unadulterated. When producing fruits and vegetables, growers should apply good agricultural practices to minimize the risk of microbial, chemical, and physical hazards to the produce. Fresh produce can become microbiologically contaminated at any point from the farm to table food chain. Some of the main sources of contamination are as follows:

• Contamination from human or animal feces.
• Water source used to irrigate the crops.
• Pesticides used must follow label instructions for application and harvest.
•  Animal manure or municipal biosolid waste should be managed closely to minimize contamination. Fresh manure should not be used. It is recommended to use manure that has had treatment for pathogens. Note this does not eliminate the pathogens but does reduce the risk. 
• Location of the garden or field should be considered. An animal feedlot or other types of industry that could cause by-products to come in contact with crops and contaminate the produce should not be too near your garden or field.
• Worker hygiene and good sanitation practices should be followed during production, harvesting, sorting, packing and transportation. This is critical to ensure a safe product.

In Wyoming, agricultural producers who are growing and selling raw agricultural produce and meat (processed in a State or Federally (USDA) inspected facility) are exempt from licensing and able to sell to the final end consumer or a licensed food establishment. These types of producers, raw agricultural producers are asked to register with Wyoming Department of Agriculture Consumer Health Services as a Raw Agriculture Producer Raw agricultural producers are required to have at least one inspection per year to ensure food is transported, stored, and delivered in a safe and sanitary manner. Inspection involves good management practices consisting of personnel, plant and grounds, sanitary operations, sanitary facilities/controls, equipment/utensils and warehousing and distribution.

As a consumer or licensed food establishment, you can purchase local produce from Raw Agricultural Producers. Do your homework to assure you are getting a product that has minimal risk of contaminates and then make sure to follow food safety guidance on handling and preparing these products. Keep you and your family safe by picking the safest/freshest fruits and vegetables, storing them properly, and effectively washing fresh produce.

For more information on food safety, the meat program and other aspects of licensing food establishments in Wyoming, visit www.agriculture.wy.gov/CHS