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Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training
February 6, 2018 @ 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety and the FSMA Produce Safety Rule are invited to attend this course. This course is one way to satisfy the Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in §112.22(c) that requires ‘At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.’
Instructors Lisa McKeag of UMass Extension and Michael Botelho of the MDAR Commonwealth Quality Program will discuss produce safety best practices, key parts of the Produce Safety Rule requirements, and how these requirements will be enforced in MA through MDAR’s Commonwealth Quality Program (CQP). There will be time for questions and discussion, so participants should come prepared to share their experiences and produce safety questions.
Registration costs $40, which includes the required PSA Grower Manual ($50 value), a certificate of course attendance from AFDO ($35 value), a certificate of attendance from UMass/MDAR, and lunch and refreshments. This course is co-sponsored by UMass Extension, MDAR, and CISA.
What to expect:
Participants will learn about Good Agricultural Practices, Produce Safety Rule requirements, and how to develop a farm food safety plan. The following topics will be covered:
- Introduction to produce safety
- Worker health, hygiene, and training
- Soil amendments
- Wildlife, domesticated animals, and land use
- Agricultural water (used both in production and postharvest)
- Postharvest handling and sanitation
- How to develop a farm food safety plan
After attending the entire course and submitting the appropriate paperwork to instructors, participants will receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials that verifies they have completed the training course.