LEA-CalRecycle 2014 Technical Training Conference March 17, 2014 GREG PIRIE, REHS County of Napa, EH KARILYN MERLOS, REHS County of San Diego, DEH Photo credit: Pamela Raptis
A single piece of land divided into multiple plots for people to grow food on A source of fresh, local food for community members to utilize Not an approved source for a food facility How is this different from a culinary garden?
A culinary garden is part of a permitted food facility (restaurant). The food grown is only used at that food facility and is an approved food source for that restaurant only. Should be properly separated from public access Culinary garden agreement must be filled out and submitted to FHD (County of San Diego Food & Housing Program Definition)
Small scale composting permit or exempt Food Facility use of culinary produce safe to use from your facility? Culinary produce coming from an approved source?
CCR, Title 14 Section 17850 et. seq. CA Retail Food Code Sections 113725 and 114021 (114021)Food from Approved Sources Compliance with food law. Food shall be obtained from sources that comply with all applicable laws.
AB 939 50% Recycle Mandate Source Separated Recyclables 3 bin Green Material Composting Chip & Grind Wood Material Food Waste, Small Scale Composting
Analyze the public health concern of permitted food facilities serving produce grown in their associated culinary gardens. And, the process of composting food material for application on culinary and community gardens.
PURPOSE Guidelines for Composting at Food Facilities California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health (CCDEH) Solid Waste Policy Committee (SWPC) and the Food Safety Policy Committee (FSPC) convened a working group to analyze the public health concern of permitted food facilities serving produce grown in their associated culinary gardens. The working group reviewed the practice of on-site culinary gardens and community garden, and the process of composting food material for application on culinary and community gardens. This document will provide guidance for food facilities: to collect and recycle the food scraps/material so they can be composted; to manage a culinary garden so it is a safe source of food for their facility; to produce safe compost for use in their culinary garden.
AUTHORITY 1. California Retail Food Code, sections 113725 and 114021: Approved source 2. 7 CFR 205.203 SOIL FERTILITY AND CROP NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE STANDARD 3. California Code of Regulations: Title 14, Natural Resources Section 17850 et. seq. Division 7, CIWMB Chapter 3.1. Compostable Materials Handling Operations and Facilities Regulatory Requirements
Public Health concerns of food facilities serving food produce from culinary or community garden via composting. Diversion Regulations BMPs Regulatory-Private Coordination
Defines Urban Producer producer on land.(including) community garden, school garden, and culinary garden. May sell or provide fruits or vegetables to public or permitted restaurant. Produce shall be in compliance as an approved source. Produce shall be labeled with the name and address of the urban producer.
Requirements for Culinary Gardens Approval is conditional Intended to ensure garden supporting facility is a safe source Based on public health practices and principles Not set in stone like CalCode Agreement for operators to adhere to these generally recognized standards Items grown must be food ingredients
Garden is inspected by food/health inspectors at the same time the food facility is inspected. Specialist reviews agreement to ensure it is being followed and safe handling practices are used.
Consists of eight general categories of conditions These categories cover the minimum requirements to prevent chemical and microbial contamination
Pre-Harvest 1. Soil 2. Irrigation Water 3. Use of Manure or Compost which hasn t undergone pathogen reduction 4. Air (dust) 5. Animals 6. Human Handling 7. Water for Other Uses Post-Harvest 1. Human Handling 2. Harvesting Equipment 3. Transport Containers 4. Animals 5. Wash and Rinse Water 6. Improper storage 7. Improper Handling When Being Prepared Source: FDA-Safe Practices for Food Processes
Support of local food sources and organics diversion Vs. Food Safety and Public Health
No Animals in the Garden!
Presence of Animals and Pesticides Animals and animal waste must be excluded from growing area Pesticides shall not be applied on or around garden without written approval from County Agricultural Commissioner Must also register with Agricultural Commissioner if they are organic
Manure Dos and Don ts Commercially composted only No raw manure or animal fecal matter allowed in the garden
Compost cannot contain animal fecal material Composting of food waste may require Solid Waste permit
Pre-Consumer vs. Post-Consumer
Full Allows processing of all materials Registration, lessened permit, Reduced application procedures, Determination of need Limited scope to make it easier to get permit Notification, Permit-by-rule, Conditionally Exempt, Reduced Procedure Permit deemed automatically within specific set of conditions May still require registration and approval Exempt
TYPE OF FEEDSTOCK BIOSOLIDS EXCLUDED EA NOTIFICATION FULL PERMIT STORAGE ON SITE AT A POTW BIOSOLIDS ONLY SEPARATE FROM NORMAL TREATMENT AT A POTW GREEN MATERIAL 500 CU YDS ONSITE 1000 CU YDS GIVEN AWAY OR SOLD ANNUALLY 12, 500 CU YDS >12,500 CU YDS, OR GREEN MATERIAL WITH OTHER WASTE INCLUDING FOOD AGRICULTURAL MATERIAL (INCLUDES MANURE) 1000 CU YDS GIVEN AWAY OR SOLD ANNUALLY ONLY AG MATERIAL RESEARCH <50 CU YDS 5000 CU YDS ON-SITE OR IN-VESSEL (>5000 CU YDS WITH LEA APPROVAL) FOOD WASTE 10 % FOOD WASTE, ONLY WITH GREEN MATERIAL 500 CU YDS, ON-SITE AND 1000 CU YARDS GIVEN AWAY OR SOLD ANNUALLY ONLY WHEN ADDED TO THE TREATMENT OF BIOSOLIDS AT A POTW WHEN MIXED WITH OTHER WASTE INCLUDING FOOD ALL OTHER SITUATIONS
Material Type (feedstock) Volume to be processed Location
Non-discretionary approval action Small volume operation Limited potential EH&S issues Specific feedstocks Comply with standard operating criteria
Green Acres, San Diego
Culinary Herb Garden: Basil, Spinach, Chard
Pre-consumer vegetative food composting project at East Mesa Detention Facility, San Diego.
Local Food Inspection Programs CCDEH Food policy advocacy groups Farm to Table Initiatives Restaurant Associations Schools! Cooperative Extensions Farm & Home Advisor Dept. of Agriculture Recycling Programs
CCDEH-SWPC final guidance doc available use for good communication and knowledge with operators, food industry. LEAs to contact consumer protection/food specialists in their county/city (approved source requirements from a compost operation they may regulate) Understand regulation/permit requirements before a culinary garden composts. LEAs ask your Ag Commissioner s office their concerns if you are to permit a composter who operates a culinary garden, composts and sells to food facility.
GREG PIRIE, REHS County of Napa, EH 707-253-4144, greg.pirie@countyofnapa.org www.countyofnapa.org/dem/gardenapplication KARILYN MERLOS, REHS County of San Diego, DEH 858-495-5799, karilyn.merlos@sdcounty.ca.gov www.sdcounty.ca.gov/deh/food/fhd_communitygardens.html