MONTICELLO, Fla. — Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and co-management of natural resources and food safety are encouraged to attend. The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement.
What to Expect
Trainers will provide approximately seven hours of instruction time covering content contained in these seven modules:
- Introduction to Produce Safety
- Worker Health, Hygiene, and Training
- Soil Amendments
- Wildlife, Domesticated Animals, and Land Use
- Agricultural Water (Part I: Production Water; Part II: Postharvest Water)
- Postharvest Handling and Sanitation
- How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan
In addition to learning about produce safety best practices, key parts of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements are outlined within each module. There will be time for questions and discussion, so participants should come prepared to share their experiences and produce safety questions.
Benefits of Attending
The course will provide a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and management information, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan. After attending the entire course, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies completion of the training course.
Registration
The fee for the training is $25 for produce industry members and government/university employees ($125 for all others). Register online or by emailing Sarah McCoy. Class space is limited, so register well in advance. Registration for the course includes the training materials, lunch, refreshments, and a certificate of course attendance issued by AFDO. Participation of the entire training is required for the certification. Training materials and certificate are funded through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FAIN #U18FD005909).
For more details, us the following link to the printer friendly event flyer: Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training
–Danielle Sprague, UF/IFAS
