Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training

Who Should Attend

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. The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA 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.’

What to Expect at the PSA Grower Training Course

The trainers will spend 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

The course will provide a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management information, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan. Individuals who participate in this course are expected to gain a basic understanding of:
•    Microorganisms relevant to produce safety and where they may be found on the farm
•    How to identify microbial risks, practices that reduce risks, and how to begin implementing produce safety practices on the farm
•    Parts of a farm food safety plan and how to begin writing one
•    Requirements in the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and how to meet them.

After attending the entire course, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) that verifies they have completed the training course. To receive an AFDO certificate, a participant must be present for the entire training and submit the appropriate paperwork to their trainer at the end of the course.

Costs to Attend

Total costs to attend the PSA Grower Training Course is $35. Funding from the WSDA (grant #5U18005913-03) has reduced the cost of training (typically valued at $150).

Fee

$35/person (typically $150)

Location

WSU Mt. Vernon
16650 SR 536
Room: Sakuma Auditorium
Mount Vernon, WA 98273

Register

http://foodsafety.wsu.edu/training-programs/psagtandttt/

Additional Information

For more information about scheduled PSA Grower Training Courses, please visit the WSU Produce Safety Website at http://foodsafety.wsu.edu/training-programs/psagtandttt/.

For questions related to registering for the course, please contact:

Cathy Blood
Events Coordinator
blood@wsu.edu
509-335-2845

For any other questions, please contact:

Faith Critzer
Produce Safety Extension Specialist
faith.critzer@wsu.edu
509-786-9203

Funding for this training was made possible, in part, by the Food and Drug Administration through grant PAR-16-137. The views expressed in written materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does any mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organization imply endorsement by the United States Government.