Fresh produce does not receive a “kill step” prior to consumption, therefore farms must implement food safety practices to reduce the risk of contamination during growing, harvesting, packing, and holding activities. Food safety training programs are designed to educate farm workers on implementation of practices that reduce the risk of food-borne illnesses.
Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) grower trainings are educational programs aimed at providing fruit and vegetable farmers with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement food safety practices on their farms. These trainings are designed to meet the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and cover topics such as employee health and hygiene, water quality, and the development of food safety plans. The PSA grower trainings are led by experienced instructors and are offered in a variety of formats, including in-person workshops, online courses, and self-paced modules. These trainings provide farmers with a solid foundation in produce safety and help them to understand the importance of preventing foodborne illness in their communities.
Types of Courses
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For more information contact:Fruit and vegetable growers are continually assessing their operations to determine where they can limit risk and increase productivity. As a result, Bridging the GAPs takes the Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training principles a step further by educating farmers about on-farm systems and practices that can fit within their current food safe operation. These day-long workshops are led by extension specialists across the Southeast to learn how to meet the Produce Safety Rule requirements, and how to verify that the system is operating as intended.
Shared-use commercial kitchens are widespread in Florida, and new food entrepreneurs may have limited knowledge of food safety practices such as sanitation and allergen controls. The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) created the Preventive Control for Human Foods (PCHF) Rule, which applies to food processing facilities, and new food businesses operating in shared-use facilities must follow Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) and learn the basic concepts of the PCHF rule. A proposed project aims to develop a curriculum updated with FSMA requirements, build human and organizational capacity for understanding and applying food safety practices, and implement a monitoring, evaluation, and learning plan to assess effectiveness. Workshops will be held in shared-use facilities, and participants will learn proper techniques for implementing food safety practices and leave with an understanding of the PCHF rule.
Food safety environmental monitoring involves regularly testing the food processing environment, equipment, and surfaces for harmful microorganisms or other hazards. This process helps identify potential sources of contamination and ensures that the food processing facility is following proper sanitation procedures. The collected data is then analyzed to make necessary adjustments to the facility's cleaning and sanitation procedures to prevent contamination and maintain food safety.
Biological soil amendments are natural fertilizers made from animal manure or human waste that are applied to soil to improve crop growth. However, they can also contain harmful pathogens that may contaminate produce and cause foodborne illnesses. Therefore, the FDA has established regulations under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) to minimize the risk of microbial contamination from biological soil amendments by setting standards for their use and application.
