Resources

This page contains links to various resources both within Hawaii and from our counterparts in the mainland. Our FAQ page may have the answer you are looking for as well!

• Are seaweed or algae farms covered under the FMSA-PSR?
  • No, seaweed and algae do not meet the definition of produce and thus are not covered under the Food Safety Modernization Act – Produce Safety Rule. However, both are subject to the FD&C Act if they are used for foods and, if used for foods, both may be subject to the FSMA – Preventative Controls for Human Foods Rule.
• Are hemp products covered under the produce safety rule?
  • Hemp greens (including microgreens) used for human consumption would meet the definition of produce and, therefore, would be covered produce and subject to the Produce Safety Rule (PSR) (21 CFR Part 112). Hemp seed sprouts used for human consumption would also be subject to the PSR, because sprouts, regardless of seed source, meet the definition of covered produce in 21 CFR 112.3.
  • However, hemp can contain cannabinoids such as delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), both of which can be hazardous to health. A food that bears or contains non‐added poisonous or deleterious substances in quantities that would ordinarily make the food injurious to health would be considered adulterated. Selling such a product is prohibited. The cannabinoid content of hemp food products can vary widely and there is a lack of safety data regarding their consumption. It is the responsibility of all food producers to make sure that their products are safe and not adulterated.
  • https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma/frequently-asked-questions-fsma
  • For questions on Hemp Cultivation or Transportation, please see: https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/hemp/ Program Contact: hemp@hawaii.gov
  • Hemp farmers are required to hold a current valid USDA Hemp Farmer License and be able to demonstrate that their hemp microgreens comply with USDA sampling and testing requirements. For more information on the USDA sampling and testing requirements, please contact via Email USDA: Farmbill.Hemp@usda.gov or visit their website: https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/hemp
  • For questions about Hemp Processing and other hemp products to be consumed orally to supplement the diet in tablet, capsule, powder, softgel, gelcap, liquid form or as an addition to food (e.g. hemp oil/topping/seasoning); or for topical application to skin or hair by humans and animals, please see the State Department of Health, Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation. Phone: (808) 692-7450 Email: DOH.HEMP@doh.hawaii.gov
    • Prior to processing hemp into hemp products, USDA licensed hemp producers must apply to be on the hemp processor registry and receive a certificate of registration (same webpage as above).
    • Only hemp products that pass required testing, conducted by a qualified lab, can be sold. Test results must be accessible to consumers via QR code or website address printed on label or packaging.
  • Hemp microgreens being sold as “living trays” as is commonly found for wheatgrass, is not allowed under Hawaii State Law, Department of Law Enforcement – Narcotics Enforcement Division statue 392 HRS and 712-1240 HRS as only entities/farms with a valid USDA hemp permit may be in possession of a live viable hemp plant. For more information, please contact them at : Phone: (808) 837-8470 or Email: hawaiicsreg@hawaii.gov.
• For usage under the Food Safety Modernization Act – Produce Safety Rule on a covered non-exempt farm on a covered crop, a biological soil amendment of animal origin (from whom the farmer purchases from a 3rd party), must be able to provide to the FDA inspector upon request documentation (ie. A certificate of conformance) at least updated, reissued, revised, or rechecked annually that:
  • The process used to treat the biological soil amendment of animal origin is a scientifically valid process that has been carried out with appropriate process monitoring and
  • the biological soil amendment of animal origin has been handled, conveyed, and stored in a manner and location to minimize the risk of contamination by an untreated or in process biological soil amendment of animal origin
  • Example of a Certificate of Conformance (publicly available)
• Rat lungworm continues to be a concern in our communities, especially in those areas that are on water catchment systems or grow their own ready to eat produce in wet areas. For best growing practices and more information please see the resources below.
  • HDOH – Disease Outbreak Control Division: Angiostrongyliasis
  • HDOA – Rat Lungworm Information Portal
  • CTAHR – Best On Farm Food Safety Practices: Reducing Risks Associated with Rat Lungworm Infections and Human Eosinophilic Meningitis
  • CTAHR – Slug and Snail Pesticides Registered for Hawaii Commercial Growers, Landscapers and Pest Control Operators
• Many of our farmers and/or their workers speak languages other than English as their mother tongue. To ensure that they are properly receiving the information you are trying to train them on, be it food safety, harvesting techniques or other important topics, the best recommendation is to have it translated into their native language. While the Hawaii Produce Safety Program is working on translating FDA Fact Sheets and other helpful guidance documents into the many languages of our local immigrant community, we are happy to provide these links, including CTAHR – Local and Immigrant Farmer Education Program and HDOA’s Good Agricultural Practices Videos. These videos cover important topics such as “What is GAP” and “Understanding Food Safety Risks”. Please remember that there is no substitute for hands on demonstrations specific to your farming operation, so while these videos are a great place to start, don’t forget to work hand in hand with your employees to ensure expectations are conveyed beyond words.
  • Good Agricultural Practice Videos in Multiple Languages by HDOA
    • Ilocano, Chinese (Mandarin), Thai, Spanish and English.
  • Local and Immigrant Farmer Education Website by CTAHR
    • Publications, Fact Sheets, and other helpful farming information in Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), Chuukese, Hawaiian, Illocano, Japanese, Cambodian, Korean, Lao, Marshallese, Samoan, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, English, Tongan, Vietnamese, Cebuano.
• One of the newest aspects of the Food Safety Modernization Act is the Food Traceability Rule, which requires that all persons (farms, restaurants, distributors, etc) subject to the rule be compliant by Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Note, this is different from the Produce Safety Rule, with its own coverage criteria, exclusions, and requirements. For more information on the Food Traceability Rule, please see:
  • https://producetraceability.org/
  • Final Food Traceability Rule Website
  • Final Food Traceability Rule Legal Text
  • Food Traceability Covered Food List and Exemptions PDF
  • Food Traceability Record Keeping Requirements PDF
  • Exemptions Relevant to Produce Farms Under the Produce Safety Rule and the Food Traceability Rule
  • Small Entity Compliance Guide: Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods (FDA Guide)
  • New York State: Guidance for Produce Traceability
• Utilize your local outreach agents through the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources!
  • CTAHR – Farm Food Safety
    • FSMA FAQs for Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Producers
    • FSMA Produce Safety Rule: Qualified Exemption:
      An Eligibility and Annual Determination Worksheet
    • Produce Safety Rule: Exemption for Taro
    • Food Safety and Conservation Co-Management
    • Hand Washing Station Requirements
• Honey is a “raw agricultural commodity” however it is regulated under the Preventative Controls for Human Food rather than the Produce Safety Rule. For more information, please contact the Hawaii Produce Safety Program, your local CTAHR extension agent or the Hawaii Department of Health Food Safety Branch.
  As a reminder: to sell your honey within the state of Hawaii, you MUST have completed a Food Handlers Safety Course (provided free by Hawaii Department of Health Food Safety Branch)
  • CTAHR website on beekeeping
  • CTAHR – Compliance with Beekeeping Laws in Hawaii
  • HDOA Hawaii Apiary Program
• Growing tea (any kind of tea, green, black, pea berry, mamaki, hibiscus, etc) or vanilla? Your farm may be covered under the FSMA produce safety rule! However, how you process and sell your product (loose leaf tea, grounded tea powder, dried vanilla, vanilla extract, etc) may be covered under a different entity than the Hawaii Produce Safety Program at HDOA.
  • Please contact your the Hawaii Produce Safety Program or your local CTAHR representative for more information
  • If you know you want to sell at farmers markets, commercially or online, please call the Hawaii Department of Health, Sanitation Branch (now called the Food Safety Branch) as they can help you navigate state and federal requirements including training, labeling, and disclaimer requirements.
    • HDOH Food Safety Branch
      • Selling at farmers markets: Home Made Food Exemption
      • Selling commercially/online: Minimum Physical Requirements for a Commercial Scale Dried Loose Leaf Tea-Processing Facility in Hawaii
• HDOA Funding Opportunities
  • Agricultural Loan Division – Agricultural Loan Program and Aquaculture Loan program.
    • The intent of the programs are to help promote agricultural and aquacultural development of Farmers within the State of Hawaii by offering credit at reasonable rates and terms to qualifying individuals or entities. This is considered a “lender of last resort” program.
  • Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
    • The primary goal in this grant program is to support projects that could provide the highest measurable benefits or return-on-investment to the specialty crop segment in Hawai`i. Projects must enhance the competitiveness of Hawai`i-grown specialty crops, in either the domestic or foreign markets. Preference will be given to projects that measurably increase the production and/or consumption of specialty crops, and/or foster the development of fledging crops and organic operations.
  • Micro-Grant Food Security Program
    • Consideration will be based on the description of the project, the number of beneficiaries, and whether the applicant received an award in the previous program. Consideration will also be given to the level of food security in the location of the household as indicated on the Food Insecurity Index, calculated by Conduent Healthy Communities Institute using data from Claritas, 2021. The index which maps food insecurity by zip code may be found at https://www.hawaiihealthmatters.org/indexsuite/index/foodinsecurity
• Other Potential Funding Agencies:
  • Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA)
    • OHA financial assistance program serves primarily the native Hawaiian community. Ag-related-community-based projects targeting the native Hawaiian community may qualify for funding. 
  • Hawaii Food Producers Fund
    • The Hawai‘i Food Producers Fund provides 0% interest loans to Hawai‘i food producers through Kiva
  • Economic Development Program, County of Maui
    •  The Economic Development Program grants support to a diversity of economic sectors including agriculture
  • Community Development Block Grant Program, City and County of Honolulu
    • Funded projects have included rural economic, and agricultural development projects.
  • Agriculture and Food Systems – County of Hawaii Research and Development
    • The Agriculture Program provides facilitative leadership to both the public and private sectors to support the sustainable development of agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, and other natural resources. 
  • Agricultural Support – Kauai County
    • The objective of this program is to increase agricultural income and opportunities on Kauai through working closely with farmer groups to assist them in obtaining resources and other assistance to solve industry problems or take advantage of opportunities. 
  • Small Business Innovation Research Program Grant
    • This program invites science-based small business firms to submit research proposal for funding, including in the areas Plant Production and Protection, Animal Production and Protection, Food Science and Nutrition, and Aquaculture.
  • University of Hawaii, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Extension Agents
    • The University often wins grants or is awarded state or federal money to assist farmers in a diversity of efforts, including food security, food safety, invasive species, soil health, and many others. Reach out to your local CTAHR Extension Office or Agent to see what opportunities may be available to you.
  • Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
    • The Western SARE Farmer/Rancher Research & Education Grant Program focuses on advancing on-farm sustainability solutions by funding innovative producer-driven research and outreach. This grant program involves agricultural producers (main applicants) and technical advisor(s) implementing projects to address identified needs in sustainable agriculture.
    • We recognize that producers are always innovating and improving on-farm/ranch practices. This program aims to honor producer innovation by funding on-farm research that benefits and is led by producers themselves. We encourage you to explore whether this grant program is right for you.
  • (For USDA Funding opportunities, please see the USDA section further down the webpage)
• Interested in continued Farmer and Rancher Education and Training, Workshops and Grant opportunities, or P-20 Initiatives: PreK-College Education programs? Contact the Oahu Agriculture and Conservation Association!
  • Oahu Agriculture and Conservation Association
• Does your buyer require a USDA GAP Audit Certification? Reach out to our partners at the North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership (North Shore EVP) to see how to start the process!
  • North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership
• Got feral animals (cats, chickens, dogs, deer etc) on your property? On neighboring state land coming onto your property? Contact a private company to remove them as they may pose a produce safety risk. You may also remove them yourself if the invasive animals are on your land within daylight hours and all property ordinances are followed (included disposal of bodies). If on state or county land, contact your local state agency responsible for the property, such as the Department of Education for public schools and Department of Land and Natural Resources for state parks.
  • If the animals are protected native species (White Nesting Tern, Nene Goose), you cannot do anything to them. You cannot approach them, shoo them, pester them, shoot them, trap them, anything. Please contact your local DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife for more information.
  • If the animals you wish to remove are non-protected or non-regulated migratory or residential birds, please contact DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement or DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife for more information.
  • Hawaii Government Agencies and Departments
  • The City and County of Oahu has partnered with Sandwich Isle Pest Solutions to provide reduced cost feral chicken removal for private land owners. Please contact them for more information.
    • https://www.sandwichisle.com/
    • 808-900-7655
• Thinking of becoming a farmer? Reach out to one of these programs below to see if the lifestyle is for you!
  • GoFarm Hawaii (Cohorts on each island)
  • Hawaii Farmers Union United (Maui only)
  • HIP Agriculture Beginner Farmer Training, Farmer In Residency, and/or Community Farmer Training (Big Island Only)
• Get the Authoritative and latest up to date information from the Produce Safety Alliance.
  • Produce Safety Alliance Home Page
  • Produce Safety Rule Compliance Dates and Timeline
  • What is the PSA Growers Training Course?
  • PSA Grower Training Manual Resource Links*
    *NOTE YOU MUST HAVE THE MANUAL TO UTILIZE THE RESOURCES EFFECTIVELY
  • Records Required by the FSMA Produce Safety Rule
  • Record Keeping Templates
  • Produce Safety Rule: Water Requirements
  • Documentation Required for Commercial Soil Amendment Suppliers
  • Farm and Packinghouse Record Keeping Sheets (Standard Operating Procedures and Log Sheets for all sections of the Produce Safety Rule)
  • More Than Words Illustrations (Pictographic Explanations of the Produce Safety Rule)
  • Documentation Requirements for Water Laboratory Analysis Results
  • Harvest and Post Harvest Water Requirements
• Sprout Safety Alliance (SSA)
• The Association of Food and Drug Officials
  • Produce Safety Rule Inspections and Voluntary USDA Audits
    • Guidance to Help Understand the Differences and Commonalities
• Food and Drug Administration Fact Sheets
  • Covered or Exempt Flowchart
  • Required Training for Covered Farms
  • Biological Soil Amendments of Animal Origin
  • Dropped Covered Produce
  • Rarely Consumed Raw Produce
  • What to Expect of a Regulatory Inspection
  • Key Points in the Produce Safety Rule Guidance
  • Sprouts vs Microgreens and other tricky questions. How am I covered?
  • End of Intended Enforcement Discretion for Subpart E Requirements for Harvest and Post-Harvest Agricultural Water for Covered Produce Other than Sprouts – Beginning January 26, 2023.
  • FSMA – Technical Assistance Network (TAN)
    • The Central Source of information for questions related to the FSMA rules, programs, and implementation strategies.
• Food Safety Resource Clearing House
  • This Clearinghouse is a curated source of Produce Safety and Preventive Controls for Human Food related resources.  Anyone can search and view the resources linked to the clearinghouse by using one or all of the search tools below (type, topic, state, and/or keywords).
• Western Regional Center to Enhance Food Safety
  • Located at Oregon State University, the Western Regional Center to Enhance Food Safety is one of four US regional centers that were created to coordinate food safety training programs resulting from the implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). 
• US Water Testing Labs Map*
  • This map is mostly used for the continental US.
    Please utilize one of these local listings:
    • Oahu Island:
      • FQ Labs (808) 839-9444
        • 3170-A, Ualena Street. Honolulu, Hi 96819
        • E.coli, Listeria, Salmonella
      • Oahu Lab Testing and Compliance LLC (808) 520-0988
        • 830 Mapunapuna Street, Suite 5. Honolulu, Hi 96819
        • E.coli, Listeria, Salmonella
    • Maui
      • University of Hawaii – Maui Campus Water Quality Lab (808) 984-3682
        • 310 West Kaahumanu Ave, Ike Le’a room 123, Kahului Hi 96732
        • E.coli
        • Informational Flyer
      • AgLabs Hawaii (info@aglabshawaii.com)
        • Haiku, Hawaii, 96708
        • E.coli, Listeria, Salmonella
    • Big Island
      • Hawaii Food and Water Testing (808) 836-5558
        • Kamuela, Hawaii 96743
        • E.coli, Listeria, Salmonella
      • Microbiology Consulting Services, LLC (808) 345-6549
        • 73-4159 Ka’ao Place, Kailua Kona, HI 96740
        • E.coli
    • Kauai
• USDA
  • USDA Organic Tipsheet: Compost
  • Operating Loans – Used to purchase livestock, seed and equipment. Can also cover farm operating costs and family living expenses while a farm gets up and running.
  • Farm Ownership Loans – Used to purchase or expand a ranch or farm. Can help with closing costs, constructing or improving buildings on a farm, or to help conserve and protect soil and water resources.
  • Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Loans (Directed funding to farmers and ranchers in first 10 years of operation), Microloans (Meet the needs of small and beginning farmers, or for non-traditional and specialty operations by easing some of the requirements and offering less paperwork), and Youth Loans (For young people ages 10-20 years old who need assistance with an educational agricultural project) are all subcategories of operating and/or ownership loans.
  • Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) – Helps farmers and ranchers repair damage to farmlands caused by natural disasters and helps put in place water conservation methods during severe drought.
    • Emergency Conservation Program Fact Sheet
  • Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) – Helps owners of non-industry private forests restore forest health by natural disasters.
    • Emergency Forest Restoration Program Fact Sheet
  • Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) – Pays covered producers of covered non-insurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory, or prevented planting occur due to natural disasters.
    • Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program Fact Sheet
  • Tree Assistance Program (TAP) – Provides financial Assistance to qualifying orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes, and vines damaged by natural disasters.
    • Tree Assistance Program Fact Sheet
  • Emergency Farm Loans – Provide Loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to drought, flooding, other natural disasters, or quarantine by animal quarantine laws or imposed by the Secretary under the Plant Protection Act.
    • Emergency Farm Loan Fact Sheet
• Other State Resources
  • University of California – Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
    • Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP) for Water Disinfecting Monitoring, Control and Documentation
  • Washington State University Extension
    • Food Safety Considerations for Postharvest Washing of Produce and Sanitation of Packing Areas
  • New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station
    • The Public and Their Animals: Regulations and Risks to your Direct Market Farm
      • Covers Service Animals vs Emotional Support Animals and what is required under ADA.
  • North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension
    • How do GAP Certifications compare to FSMA’s Produce Safety Rule?

• PSA Labeled Sanitizers for Produce
  • Always remember that an approved sanitizer will have an EPA Regulation Number listed somewhere on the label

This publication was supported by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award U2FFD007652-02 totaling $426,934 with 100 percent funded by the FDA/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views, nor an endorsement, by FDA/HHS, or the U.S. Government.