Produce Safety Training Programs

Fresh Produce Safety Training Programs

I. GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES TRAININGSGAPs Training

GAPs training programs at OSU provide growers with the knowledge and tools needed to implement on-farm best management practices to reduce fresh produce safety hazards and ensure that their product is safe.  The OSU OSU Fruit and Vegetable Safety Team offers GAPs trainings to fruit and vegetable producers who primarily grow fruit and vegetables in the field (GAPs Training and GAPs Training for Plain Growers) and to growers who produce fruit and vegetables using hydroponics (GAPs Training for Hydroponic Production Systems).  More information on these trainings and how to register for a training is provided below.

GAPS TRAINING

NEW ONLINE GAPS COURSE AVAILABLE

The new on-line course is self-paced and provides produce growers with the knowledge and tools needed to implement best management practices to reduce microbial food safety hazards in vegetable and fruit farm operations. Participants will receive a certificate of participation after completing this course.  The cost of the course is $50. There are NO refunds issued for this course. If you have questions about the course, contact OSU Fruit and Vegetable Safety team member Ashley Kulhanek at kulhanek.5@osu.edu.

GAPS TRAINING FOR PLAIN GROWERS

GAPs trainings for the Plain grower community are conducted in-person by OSU Fruit and Vegetable Safety Team members.  Trainings are three hours and participants receive a certificate of completion at the end of the training.  Each participant also receives recordkeeping materials and factsheets. Each in-person training cost $50, which helps to cover the cost of training materials.

GAPS TRAINING FOR HYDROPONIC PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

On-line GAPs Course - Register Here

The new on-line course is self-paced and provides produce growers with the knowledge and tools needed to implement best management practices to reduce microbial food safety hazards in hydroponic vegetable and fruit operations. Participants will receive a certificate of participation after completing this course.  The cost of the course is $150. There are NO refunds issued for this course. If you have questions about the course, contact OSU Fruit and Vegetable Safety team leaders Melanie Lewis Ivey (ivey.14@osu.edu) or Sanja Ilic (ilic.2@osu.edu).

This in-person training is offered to producers who are growing fruits and vegetables in controlled environments, with an emphasis on hydroponics.  Trainings are three hours and participants receive a certificate of completion at the end of the training.  Each in-person participant also receives a Good Agricultural Guide.  A minimum of 10 participants must be registered for us to offer the training.  Each in-person training cost $50, which helps to cover the cost of training materials.

II. Food Safety Plan Writing WorkshopsFarm Food Safety Plan

Food Safety Plan writing workshops assist growers with preparing an on-farm food safety plan.  Participants work in groups of four with an OSU Fruit and Vegetable Safety team member to write a food safety plan specific to their farm and farming practices. The goal of this workshop is for every participant to leave with a completed and printed food safety plan.  Computers are provided.  Participants should bring any documents such as farm maps, standard operating procedures, or documentation log sheets that they currently have, although they are not required.  For more information on the workshops please contact Drs. Melanie Lewis Ivey or Sanja Ilic.