Promoting Better Health Through Food and Nutrition Extension helps people make healthier choices and live better lives through education in nutrition, health, food safety, food preservation and local foods.
Extension Food Safety Experts Help an Apple Farm Expand its Business When Jeff Nix took over management of Flavor Full Farms, a multi-generational apple orchard in Henderson County, he wanted to expand the business. Nix and his wife, Dale, turned to NC State Extension food safety experts Lynette Johnston and Elena Rogers, who helped the farm launch a packing house and apple slicing operation. Over the past few years, they have imparted a deep knowledge of food safety that enables the Nixes to comply with federal and state sanitation standards. The apple slicing business provides tasty, nutritious snacks to school children in Western North Carolina. Launching it required an in-depth understanding of pathogenic contamination and how to keep microscopic germs out of the slicing room. “In helping them see the value of food safety, we're ultimately protecting public health,” Rogers said. “You can’t get it wrong.” Johnston made on-farm visits to conduct food safety training. Rogers makes regular visits to check in and answer questions.
“I love the purpose of Extension; it’s all about service and helping people find solutions.” Lynette Johnston, Extension food safety specialist
"If it hadn’t been for Elena and Lynette, I don’t know how we'd be operating,” said Dale. go.ncsu.edu/GrowingBusiness 9
Sliced apples at Flavor Full Farms before being packaged for school lunches. NC State Extension food safety experts help farmers ensure their food products are safe to eat.
