Montana On-Farm Readiness Reviews
What is the On-Farm Readiness Review (OFRR)?
It’s a voluntary, free, educational tool for producers to assess their own readiness for compliance with the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.
The OFRR was developed by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and FDA - in collaboration with Cooperative Extension and State Department of Agriculture staff from across the U.S. The OFRR looks and feels like a farm tour and is a cornerstone of effective education and outreach on the FSMA Produce Safety Rule (PSR).
What’s involved?
During an educational site visit, OFRR staff will help produce growers understand and comply with the Produce Safety Rule.
- An OFRR farm visit takes about two hours
- OFRRs should be conducted as close to harvest as possible in order to provide the best assessment of the producer’s readiness
- A team of two to five MDA staff make up the review team
- Engagement will be conversational – this is neither an audit nor an inspection; rather it’s an educational visit
- Prior to the OFRR, reviewers will follow a standardized decision tree to determine which parts of the rule apply to the operation
How will an OFRR benefit the farm?
OFRRs help farms identify strengths and weaknesses in their operations relative to the requirements of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.
- You’ll have the full attention of folks who know the rule inside and out – now is the time to ask operation-specific questions about the rule
- You’ll get a detailed look at which aspects of the rule apply to your operation
- No photos or notes will be taken by the review team during the review – the OFRR process is confidential
- State and Extension staff will refer you to resources to help you understand and comply with the rule
How do I request an OFRR on my Farm and how do I prepare for it?
Contact the Food Safety Program of the Montana Department of Agriculture at 406-444-0131 or foodsafety@mt.gov .
We ask that you or someone in a position of responsibility for food safety participate in the entire OFRR including providing some basic information about your farm to the review team prior to the OFRR so that the visit can be as efficient and useful to your operation as possible.
Here are some resources with additional information about On-Farm Readiness Reviews:
Montana On-Farm Readiness Review Info Sheet
On-Farm Readiness Review Walk Around Questions
Montana Rules & Code: Produce
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