To conceptualize a sustainable working model to address this need, the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA, at the request of the FDA, led a stakeholder dialogue process to explore new strategies for produce safety and the development of a collaborative entity to drive progress. The Foundation convened a wide range of stakeholders from agricultural communities, industry, academia, consumer groups and government to develop a shared understanding of the challenges and a vision for better protecting public health.
This facilitated dialogue (conducted from fall 2024 into spring 2025) revealed a willingness of produce system stakeholders to engage in undertaking challenging, big impact issues. Over the course of several months, more than 170 produce safety stakeholders conceptualized and articulated priorities, areas for change, and specific actions that would propel progress in the following eight priority areas.
- On-going Government/Private Sector/Non-profit Collaboration
- One Health/The Agriculture Ecosystem
- Industry-Regulatory Collaboration
- Policy & Economic Opportunities
- Produce Imports
- Buyer-Supplier Collaboration for Produce Safety
- Produce Safety Extension & Outreach
- Produce Safety Research Needs
