The Fresh And Safe Podcast

In this episode of the Fresh and Safe Podcast, Livia Esterhazy from A Lighter Touch highlights how agroecology is helping growers reduce reliance on synthetic agrichemicals while maintaining commercial yields and food safety standards.

Our guest explains how biological pest control, biodiversity planting, resistance management, and smarter decision-making are being trialled and adopted across New Zealand’s horticulture sector. From lettuce and brassicas to tomatoes and vineyards, this conversation shows what’s possible when farming systems work with nature instead of against it.

What You’ll Learn:

• What agroecology actually means (in plain English)
• Why pesticide resistance is forcing change in farming
• How growers reduced pesticide use by up to two-thirds
• The role of beneficial insects and biodiversity planting
• Why behaviour change, not technology is the real challenge
• How food safety improves when chemical use is reduced

For more information about the FPSC visit https://www.fpsc-anz.com

Follow us here:

https://www.instagram.com/fpsc_anz

https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-produce-safety-centre-australia-new-zealand

https://www.facebook.com/FPSCANZ

https://x.com/FPSC_ANZ

Follow Lighter Touch here:

https://a-lighter-touch.co.nz

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:00:45 - Guest Introduction

00:01:05 - Guest Background

00:01:56 - A Lighter Touch program

00:06:57 - Agroecology

00:08:10 - Commercialisation of Agroecology

00:09:28 - Successful Trials

00:13:17 - Co-benefits of Agroecology

00:14:07 - Food Safety Outcomes

00:15:31 - Biggest Wins from the program

00:17:40 - Bridging the Gap: Theory to Adoption

00:18:03 - Supporting Behavioural Change in Farming

00:22:39 - How to Start Implementing Agroecology

00:23:22 - Resources and Communication Channels

00:24:42 - Concluding Remarks

Primary keywords

• agroecology farming
• lighter touch agriculture
• reducing pesticide use in farming
• sustainable crop protection
• biological pest control
• food safety in fresh produce
• agroecological farming systems
• spray free farming
• sustainable horticulture practices
• how to reduce pesticides on farms
• agroecology explained for growers
• biological control in horticulture
• resistance management in agriculture
• sustainable food safety practices
• biodiversity planting in orchards
• integrated pest management farming
• consumer demand for low pesticide food
• commercial scale agroecology

In this two-part episode recorded live from the International Fresh Produce Safety Symposium, the Fresh and Safe Podcast dives into the people and processes shaping the future of produce safety in Australia and New Zealand.

In Part One, Former FPSC CEO Farzana Adams sits down with Meegan George, CEO of Freshmark, to explore:

• Why the independent fresh produce sector thrives on passion, relationships, and generational pride
• The urgent need to attract young people into the industry
• How AI and data could streamline compliance for small businesses
• The balance between commercial realities and food safety frameworks

In Part Two, FPSC Technical Advisor Susannah Roelofsz speaks with Gail Woods from Fresh Markets Australia, discussing how the Guidelines for Fresh Produce Food Safety are used across the industry to support growers, interpret microbial testing, and build trust through science-based standards.

Whether you’re a grower, wholesaler, QA manager, or regulator, this episode offers actionable insights into building the next generation of safe, sustainable, and trusted produce supply chains.

For more information about the FPSC visit www.fpsc-anz.com

Join us at the International Fresh Produce Safety Symposium: 

https://www.ifpss.com.au

Follow us here:

https://www.instagram.com/fpsc_anz

https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-produce-safety-centre-australia-new-zealand

https://www.facebook.com/FPSCANZ

https://x.com/FPSC_ANZ

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:48 - Discussion on Meegan George's Background in Fresh Produce

00:03:31 - Challenges in the Fresh Produce Industry

00:04:14 - Addressing Labour Issues and Education Pathways

00:08:10 - Compliance in the Fresh Produce Industry

00:11:32 - Consolidation in the Independent Sector

00:14:11 - Conclusion: Looking to the Future

00:15:16 - Adapting to Industry Changes and the Importance of Industry Associations

00:16:33 - Role of Fresh Produce Safety Centre

00:17:18 - Interview with Gail from Fresh Markets Australia

00:17:40 - Use of Fresh Produce Safety Guidelines in Daily Work

00:19:20 - Trust in the Guidelines and Interpretation of Results

00:19:20 - Cost of Compliance and Importance of Testing

00:22:26 - Closing Remarks

In this special episode, recorded live at the 2025 International Fresh Produce Safety Symposium, host Damien Farrelly brings together a powerhouse panel of global food safety experts:

• Professor Jim Monaghan (Harper Adams University, UK)
• Distinguished Professor Phil Bremer of the University of Otago & New Zealand Food Safety Science and Research Centre (NZFFSRC)
• Ben Hoodless (ElementAG Consulting, Australia)

Together, they unpack the evolving landscape of fresh produce safety — from global trends to practical farm-level insights.

Expect a candid discussion on:

• The biggest challenges facing growers in a changing climate
• How AI and automation will shape the next decade of food safety
• The crucial balance between hazard vs risk
• Why data collection and genome sequencing are the new frontiers of traceability
• The importance of industry collaboration and shared responsibility across supply chains

This episode is a must-listen for growers, QA professionals, auditors, and anyone working to elevate standards in fresh produce safety across Australia and New Zealand.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:00:45 - Panel Discussion Introduction

00:02:12 - Jim Monaghan's Reflections

00:06:40 - Dr Phil Bremer's Reflections

00:10:33 - Ben Hoodless's Reflections

00:13:40 - Q&A Session

00:15:45 - Ben Hoodless's Additional Comments

00:16:26 - Audience Questions

00:16:45 - Panel's Future Predictions

00:19:35 - Discussion on New Innovations

00:22:35 - Insights on Shared Responsibility

00:25:06 - Closing Remarks

In Episode 3 of the Fresh and Safe Podcast, we go beyond the audit with New Zealand’s Mathew Bannister - a regenerative farming advocate who brings a provocative and practical lens to food safety. 

This episode dives deep into the evolving role of food safety in the context of climate change, regenerative agriculture, compliance culture, and the shifting expectations of both retailers and consumers.

For more information about the FPSC visit www.fpsc-anz.com

Join us at the International Fresh Produce Safety Symposium: 

https://www.ifpss.com.au

Follow us here:

https://www.instagram.com/fpsc_anz

https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-produce-safety-centre-australia-new-zealand

https://www.facebook.com/FPSCANZ

https://x.com/FPSC_ANZ

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:43 - Mathew Bannister's Journey in Horticulture

00:04:03 - Differences Between Manufacturing and Fresh Produce

00:06:08 - The Diversity in Horticulture

00:07:46 - Guidelines for Fresh Produce Food Safety

00:09:20 - Continuous Improvement in Agriculture

00:12:56 - Climate Disruption and Its Risks to Production Systems

00:15:05 - Managing Risks and Building Relationships in Agriculture

00:16:45 - Incident Management in Agriculture

00:17:12 - The Importance of Planning and Communication in Crisis Management

00:19:06 - Shifting the Narrative: Compliance and Everyday Practice

00:19:58 - Being Audit Ready and Leveraging Technology

00:23:46 - Regenerative Agriculture: Risks and Food Safety Expectations

00:26:09 - Resources for Understanding Regenerative Agriculture

00:28:19 - Key Takeaways from the Discussion

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In Episode 3 of the Fresh and Safe Podcast, we go beyond the audit with New Zealand’s Matthew Bannister - a regenerative farming advocate who brings a provocative and practical lens to food safety.
This episode dives deep into the evolving role of food safety in the context of climate change, regenerative agriculture, compliance culture, and the shifting expectations of both retailers and consumers.
For more information about the FPSC visit www.fpsc-anz.com

Join us at the International Fresh Produce Safety Symposium: 

https://www.ifpss.com.au

Follow us here:

https://www.instagram.com/fpsc_anz

https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-produce-safety-centre-australia-new-zealand

https://www.facebook.com/FPSCANZ

https://x.com/FPSC_ANZ

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:00:56 - Meet Matthew 

00:01:43 - Matthew's Journey in Horticulture

00:06:01 - Discussion on Audit and Compliance

00:08:05 - Understanding the Diversity in Horticulture

00:09:45 - Guidelines for Fresh Produce Food Safety

00:11:12 - Continuous Improvement in Agriculture

00:15:29 - Climate Disruption and Risks

00:15:39 - Impact of Climate Disruptions on Food Safety

00:19:14 - Importance of Incident Management and Emergency Preparedness

00:22:09 - Practical Tips for Compliance and Audit Readiness

00:26:04 - Encouragement for Collaboration and Community Support

00:26:49 - Discussion on Regenerative Agriculture and Food Safety

00:31:27 - Resources for Regenerative Agriculture

00:32:24 - Future of Regenerative Agriculture

00:33:40 - Closing Remarks and Takeaways

00:34:01 - Importance of Planning and Record Keeping

00:36:32 - End of Discussion and Podcast

fresh produce food safety

Australia New Zealand produce safety

fresh produce safety guidelines

produce industry research Australia

how to engage with FPSC

fresh & safe podcast 

food safety in horticulture

regenerative agriculture and food safety

fresh produce safety guidelines

farming climate change impact

food safety audit tips

New Zealand regenerative farming

agriculture compliance and sustainability

how to pass food safety audits

climate resilience in farming

consumer trust in food production

Welcome to Episode 2 of the Fresh and Safe Podcast! In this episode, we're unpacking the Fresh Produce Food Safety Guidelines with industry experts to help elevate food safety standards across Australia and New Zealand.

Join us as we explore the 2022 updates and upcoming 2025 revisions, featuring critical insights from Dr. Sharon Horton, Richard Bennet, and Elizabeth.

Perfect for growers, service providers, and food safety stakeholders, this episode is a must-listen to ensure compliance, enhance consumer safety, and implement best practices in your operations.

For more information about the FPSC visit www.fpsc-anz.com

Join us at the International Fresh Produce Safety Symposium: 

https://www.ifpss.com.au

Follow us here:

https://www.instagram.com/fpsc_anz

https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-produce-safety-centre-australia-new-zealand

https://www.facebook.com/FPSCANZ

https://x.com/FPSC_ANZ

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In this inaugural episode, CEO Farzana Adams sits down with FPSC-ANZ leaders Robyn McConchie, Andreas Klieber, Damien Farrelly and Technical Officer for FPSC, Susannah Roelofsz to trace the journey of the Fresh Produce Safety Centre.  

Discover the organisation’s origin, key milestones over its first decade, the research and industry collaborations that have shaped Australia and New Zealand’s approach to fresh produce food safety — and hear the bold vision for where FPSC is headed next.

For more information about the FPSC visit www.fpsc-anz.com

Join us at the International Fresh Produce Safety Symposium: 

https://www.ifpss.com.au

Follow us here:

https://www.instagram.com/fpsc_anz

https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-produce-safety-centre-australia-new-zealand

https://www.facebook.com/FPSCANZ

https://x.com/FPSC_ANZ

fresh produce food safety

FPSC ANZ origin story

Australia New Zealand produce safety

pathogen persistence paddock to plate

fresh produce safety guidelines

produce industry research Australia

FPSC postgraduate programHFSI sustainable food safety model

how to engage with FPSC

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