08/07/2026
Food safety has been a major topic lately with all the various illness outbreaks. Since we have had several questions on the issue we would like to address you all formally on the matter. As a small farm that produces all our fruits and veggies here in Waterloo, we are isolated from the major vectors of these foodborne illness outbreaks: namely trucks and processing facilities. But that doesn't mean we neglect good food safety practices. We have and continue to take many measures to ensure our produce is safe for you to eat. This includes: using a clean, regularly tested water source for the farm; cleaning and sanitizing crates, surfaces, and machinery; excluding pest disease vectors (such as birds and mammals) from sensitive growing spaces with high tunnels, netting, and fencing; minimizing produce handling; and storing produce appropriately. We do sincerely believe that small-scale, locally produced, direct-to-consumer food is safer. We like seeing you all each week and don't want any of you to fall ill!! (we don't want to get sick either–we eat the same veggies!) We take our responsibility for your health seriously and thank you for your trust in us.
We will be open for our on farm market this Friday, August 7th from 3-6 pm and at the Cedar Falls Farmer's Market this Saturday, August 8th from 8:30-noon. U-pick will be Wednesday and Saturday from 4-6:30. For a full list of the produce we have to offer this week, visit our website: https://hoffman-produce-farms-waterloo-iowa.com/updates