The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce recently hosted produce safety counterparts from Alabama and North Carolina for a tour of Salad Days Produce, a Genuine Mississippi member and local farm operation in Flora. The visit highlighted upgrades to the facility aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and strengthening produce safety standards for lettuce grown and processed on-site.
The event is part of ongoing efforts by the department’s Produce Safety Division to protect consumers and ensure the integrity of the food supply. According to the department, “MDAC’s Produce Safety Division protects consumers and ensures the integrity of our food supply. MDAC is proud of this most recent collaboration with other states to strengthen efforts in safeguarding consumers and upholding the highest standards across state lines,” according to the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce.
Salad Days Produce currently supplies 2% of the lettuce consumed in Mississippi, with a production reach spanning over 200 miles. The upgraded facility is expected to further improve both efficiency and safety for its products.
The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce operates statewide to support agricultural efforts, offers services including Genuine Mississippi branding for local products, oversees operation of the state farmers market, promotes local products through programs like Genuine Mississippi, houses the state Agriculture and Forestry Museum, works to oversee, advance, and aid varied farming sectors for growers’ and buyers’ benefit, and is directed by an elected commissioner, according to the official website.
The department said it remains committed to collaborating with other states in order to uphold high standards across state lines.
