Register Now for the Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training

The Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training is February 7 at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Suwannee County Extension office in Live Oak.

Jill Dunlop with the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA), a grower trade association, handles the food safety and sustainability education and outreach program. She says the FFVA is partnering with University of Florida Extension to “bring this training to growers that is recognized by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in regards to the new FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) rules.”

The training is a way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement. After attending the entire course, attendees will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies completion of the training course.

“The course in Live Oak is a one-day training that has eight modules. Each module takes about an hour to complete,” says Dunlop. She says that it is a very structured curriculum. “The slides that we present were developed by the Produce Safety Alliance and were approved by the FDA. So we have to go over the information that is on the slides, and we have to go over all eight chapters in order for the grower to receive a certificate for staying the entire training.”

Growers of all operation sizes for fruits and vegetables are encouraged to attend. The training will address produce safety, the FSMA Produce Safety Rule, good agricultural practices and co-management of natural resources and food safety.

The Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training agenda includes the following eight modules:

Introduction to produce safety
Worker health, hygiene and training
Soil amendments
Wildlife, domesticated animals and land use
Production water
Postharvest water
Postharvest handling and sanitation
How to develop a farm food safety plan

The registration fee for the training course is $150 for industry participants. A reduced fee of $125 is available for government/academic employees that make prior arrangements. A discounted registration fee of $99 is available for FFVA members.

The registration fee includes lunch, training materials, refreshments and a Certificate of Attendance issued by AFDO.

Visit http://psa020717.eventbrite.com to register.