to be able to identify when food safety concerns may be increasing or decreasing. To achieve this, an ongoing measurement system must be in place to compare the expected/historical baseline level with current observations so that appropriate behaviors can be exercised, if needed. An example system that most are aware of is that of weather monitoring. With weather systems, we have established an expected range of temperatures, precipitation and prediction algorithms so that when we compare current data on today’s conditions, we know whether the current conditions are expected or unexpected and the systems provide some predictions on what to expect in the coming hours/days so that we can plan appropriately. Food safety systems can be designed in the same fashion; using historical data, practices and trends to predict when and how food safety risks may fluctuate, and what practices we may need to adopt to ensure the risks to consumers remain acceptable. With a well-designed monitoring system and means to measure and characterize practices in terms of risk, it is possible to establish a system to use data to achieve any goals whether they be designed for food safety or sustainability purposes. SFS addresses the fact that all practices in the production of food must account for food safety. A non-safe food is simply not a food. Building a SFS system for fresh produce requires an interdisciplinary approach incorporating all sciences (e.g., microbiology, soil science, agronomy, toxicology, hydrology, geology, engineering, data science, genetics, animal husbandry, ecology, etc.) and the construction of a dynamic system capable of creating a baseline understanding of risk in an environment or system. Once we broaden the view of the interrelatedness of all factors contributing to our agricultural ecosystem, we recognize the need to approach food safety and agriculture holistically; a way that accommodates a spectrum of needs, considerations for science and the overall economics for a grower. There is no right or wrong way to produce food, but instead many pathways can be balanced to achieve the outcomes needed to support a resilient food ecosystem. Systems like Western Growers’
GreenLink® data-sharing platform are currently being developed for agricultural food safety to lean into complex data collection, analysis and prediction. With dynamic systems to help define baseline risk and quantification of impacts (positive or negative), we can drive toward a future where there is no good or bad practice, but instead, optimized control of risk and reward of safe products. With a comprehensive view on the relationships in our world, we offer an optimistic ability to help contribute to a resilient food
production system, quality nutrition for our communities and a business model sustainable for the growing community. There is no food without food safety. There is no food without environmental sustainability. There is no food without a grower who can afford to produce the crops. There is no future without a comprehensive approach to food production. SFS is the solution for sustainable, risk- based food production.
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24 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com November | December 2024
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