MILLHEIM, Pa. — Creating and following a food safety plan for your vegetable farm will enable you to comply with standards for safely growing, harvesting, and storing produce to minimize the risk of foodborne illness.
This fall, three full-day food safety trainings will be held at various locations across Pennsylvania to review Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), and Produce Safety Rule requirements. You’ll also learn how to develop a farm food safety plan.
The trainings are collaboratively hosted by the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA), Pennsylvania Farmers Union, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and Penn State Extension.
The training will provide an introduction to produce safety and cover the following topics: worker health and hygiene; soil amendments; wildlife, domesticated animals, and land use; agricultural water; and post-harvest handling.
After completing the training, you’ll be eligible to receive a Produce Safety Alliance certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials.
General admission is at a discounted rate of $20 and is made available through support from R.K. Mellon Foundation and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. All participants will receive a workbook worth $50 and a certificate worth $35. Complimentary beverages and lunch will be provided.
Food Safety Training Details
Friday, October 18th, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Penn’s Corner Farm Alliance
150 54th St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Monday, November 18th, 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Edinboro Market
109 Erie Street, Suite 1
Edinboro, PA 16412 [Erie County]
Wednesday, December 18th, 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Clarion River Organics
824 Whitmer Rd
Sligo, PA 16255 [Clarion County]
PASA is a Pennsylvania-based sustainable agriculture association working to build a more economically-just, environmentally-regenerative, and community-focused food system through education and research that directly supports farmers.
Learn more at pasafarming.org.
–Melissa Cipollone, PASA