In this Sustainable Agriculture Action Plan funded project, the Community Environmental Council, the Central Coast Soil Hub, and the Coastal San Luis Conservation District brought together local farmers and food safety compliance consultants to discuss barriers in implementing sustainable practices while meeting food safety regulations. Fresh produce, one of the region’s primary economic drivers, is subject to stringent food safety regulations, often leading farmers to prioritize compliance over environmental sustainability when tradeoffs arise. At the same time, there is increased interest in practices such as compost application, hedgerows, and cover cropping, though many producers remain hesitant due to perceived food safety risks and inconsistent guidance from regulators, buyers.
This report outlines surveys taken, the regional meeting, and key recommendations in moving forward.
This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.