We’re heading into a busy stretch of environmental health conferences across California, Texas, Michigan, and British Columbia. Whether you’re planning to attend AEC’s from CCDEH, TEHA, MALEHA, and CIPHI in person, or just want to stay ahead of industry trends, here are four emerging trends to think about and discuss with us onsite.
surge in food safety regulations
2025 has seen a massive increase in US food safety regulations, with state legislatures introducing more than 350 bills, as reported by NEHA. Of these, 73 have already been enacted as of August 2025. This wave of new laws underscores the growing emphasis on food safety and public health, while creating added complexity over the scope of responsibility of local versus state regulators. Agencies must stay informed and be prepared to adapt their practices to remain compliant with these evolving regulations. Having a technology partner that can adapt with an agency is essential for success.
flexibility during turbulent times
In an era marked by political and economic turbulence, the need for adaptable technology solutions has never been more critical. Agencies now face shifting regulations, oversight, and unpredictability, requiring software that can accommodate new policies and compliance requirements. Flexibility in technology design allows agencies to respond effectively to changes, ensuring they can continue to serve their communities without interruption. Building flexible technology that empowers regulators to configure workflows with minimal vendor or IT support has always been a strategic focus for Hedgerow Software and will continue to be. Read more on this topic in our interview with EH leader Stevan Walker about how the City of Lubbock Texas had to quickly adapt during the pandemic and adjust afterwards.
modernizing technology to drive efficiency
Legacy technology systems can slow down agencies, making the move to a modern platform a top priority for many agencies this year. In our discussions with new agency customers across California, for example, we’re finding a new-found sense of urgency to evolve from the status quo, reduce manual data entry / inefficient systems, ensure technology is implemented properly (on time, in scope), and properly train their teams. With our average implementation of 6 months, no 3rd party implementations (all in-house / full-time employees), and a major focus on agency training, we’re happy to share insights we’ve seen work well this year.
resource optimization and measuring impact
Lastly, with tight budgets, shifting political priorities, and growing workloads, agencies are seeking solutions that provide clear oversight into measurable impact. We’re excited to have discussions with agencies to highlight how our technology can help you do more with less, through flexible workflows, mobile inspections, analytics, and self-service options for community engagement with the public. Affordable, user-friendly technology isn’t just nice to have; it’s become essential for agencies both large and small across North America.
To wrap up, as environmental health professionals gather over the next few weeks to learn, share best practices, and innovate, staying attuned to these four trends can make all the difference. By focusing on the surge in food safety legislation, the need for flexible/modern technology, and measuring impact, you’ll be able to handle any new challenge headed your way. What other trends are emerging? Leave a comment here or connect with me on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.
