Arizona Leafy Greens Month showcases commitment to food safety
Arizona Leafy Greens Month showcases commitment to food safety
November is Arizona Leafy Greens Month, a time to celebrate the significant contributions of the state's leafy greens industry to feeding the nation. This annual observance highlights Arizona's role as the "winter lettuce capital of the U.S.", contributing 25 percent of the nation's lettuce production annually and generating a $2 billion impact in Arizona each year.
Gov. Hobbs has issued an official proclamation recognizing November as Arizona Leafy Greens Month, underscoring the state's commitment to public health and food safety within the agricultural sector.
Throughout November, the Arizona LGMA along with its partners at Yuma Safe Produce Council will conduct outreach to educate consumers and the produce industry about the importance of Arizona-grown leafy greens. Key activities include:
Social Media Partnerships: Collaborations with prominent social media accounts, including Farmer Jon (Dinsmore), Ram628 (Ramiro Ruiz) and Welcome to Arizona will help spread awareness and engage a broad audience. Giveaways will be hosted on Instagram and Facebook to encourage participation.
Media Outreach: Extensive media outreach to the produce trade press is planned, alongside interviews with local media outlets such as KYMA television, What's Up Yuma radio and Today in Yuma radio.
Community Engagement: A booth will be hosted at Yuma's Friday Night Munchies food truck event, where the importance of handwashing will be highlighted.
"As we launch into our 2025-26 season, we are proud of all that Arizona LGMA members and the Arizona leafy greens industry do to provide safe and nutritious leafy greens," said Teressa Lopez, division director, plant and produce services, Arizona Department of Agriculture, and administrator for the Arizona Leafy Greens Food Safety Committee.
