2026 NC Produce Safety Professionals Conference
About this Event
The North Carolina Fresh Produce Safety Task Force invites produce growers, food safety coordinators, extension agents, food safety consultants, and professionals involved with the produce industry to join us at the 2026 NC Produce Safety Professionals Conference. During this event, we will focus on the impact and response to food safety incidents. We will discuss the impact of this past summer's outbreaks and recalls, review the importance of food safety practices in the prevention of outbreaks, review our current programs in place and finalize the day with crisis communications.
This event offers an excellent opportunity to remain informed about industry trends, food safety practices, and receive updates from regulatory partners, auditing companies, and Extension programs in North Carolina.
Agenda
8:30 a.m. Registration opens
9:00 a.m. Welcome and Introductions, Sara Runkel, Chair, North Carolina Fresh Produce Safety Task Force
Segment 1 - Looking back on this summer's food safety incidents
9:10 – 9:40 a.m. Reflecting on the effects of this summer's food safety outbreaks and recalls. Dr. Christina Ferreira, International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), VP of Food Safety and Quality.
9:45- 10:15 a.m. The impact of fresh produce outbreaks and recalls on consumer buying habits and the fresh produce supply chain in North Carolina and beyond. Industry Panel. Panel members to be announced.
10:15-10:30 a.m. BREAK
Segment 2 - Our current food safety system
10:30- 11:30 p.m. Overview of our current food safety system: what does it mean to grow and be prepared to address food safety incidents in today's world. Greg Komar, Technical Services Director, CA LGMA
11:45-12:00 p.m. NCDA Produce Safety Program update
Lunch: 12:20 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch
Segment 3 - Crisis communications: Resources to communicate your food safety story effectively
1:00- 1:35 p.m. Who is conveying the news about produce recalls and outbreaks? Engaging with the media. Lynda Loveland, NC Farm Bureau
1:40-2:15 p.m. Using social media to educate consumers about food safety. What works, what doesn’t? Speaker to be announced.
2:20-2:50 p.m. What did we learn from this past summer's food safety incidents. Industry panel. Moderator: Ben Chapman, NCSU. Panel members to be announced.
2:50 p.m. Closing remarks
3:00 p.m. Adjourn
Registration
Cost per participant is $30.00. This includes lunch and coffee breaks. Please pre-register no later than December 11, 2026.
Sponsorships
* Gold ($250) and Silver ($150) Sponsorships are available for this event. Both sponsorships will include registration. Company logos for sponsors will be prominently displayed at the conference, with Gold Sponsors offsetting the costs for lunch and Silver Sponsors offsetting the costs for breaks.
For more information
Contact NC State Extenion Area Specialized Agents- Food Safety/ Fresh Produce
Elena Rogers, Area Specialized Agent, Fresh Produce Safety- Western NC & Piedmont at [email protected] or (828)352-2519
Dr. Chip Simmons, Area Specialized Agent - Eastern NC at [email protected] or (919)414-5632
Sara Runkel, Sara Runkel, Local Food Program Director, Carolina Farm Stewardship Association at [email protected] or (919)542-2402.
This event is organized by the North Carolina Fresh Produce Safety Task Force
Our partners include:
NC State University
NC A&T University
NC Cooperative Extension
NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
NC Farm Bureau
Carolina Farm Stewardship
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 30.00 to USD 250.00
