Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training

Program Description

Course Description

Latin American countries export large quantities of produce to the USA. In order to be in compliance, training producers and handlers of fresh agricultural products in the Regulation on the safety of fresh agricultural products (PSR, 21CFR112) is necessary. The Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training Course satisfies the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Rule requirement stating “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 by the Food and Drug Administration.” JIFSAN is recognized and authorized to present this program internationally, using the PSA curriculum designed as a standardized course and intended to provide a consistent foundation of produce safety and FSMA Produce Safety Rule information. In each of the seven modules taught in this course, participants learn about produce safety best practices, and key parts of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule. The course provides a foundation in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and co-management information, along with FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements and details on how to develop a farm food safety plan. Participants completing the entire course are eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) verifying their completion.

https://producesafetyalliance.cornell.edu/training/grower-training-courses/

During the pandemic, PSA approved a virtual format for presenting Grower Training. JIFSAN successfully deliver the PSA curriculum in Latin America during this time. JIFSAN will continue offering Virtual Grower Training (VGT) as long as PSA approves this format, and will transition to face-to-face when restrictions are lifted. Included in JIFSAN’s training, qualified participants are given the opportunity to be coached through the extensive PSA Lead Trainer process. This process is designed to develop trainers to effectively and consistently deliver the curriculum so fruit and vegetable growers are well informed about FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements. PSA approved Lead Trainers are able to independently coordinate courses, providing a greater impact for training of growers in their region.

Course Content

The PSA Grower Training curriculum includes seven modules.

  1. Worker Health, Hygiene, and Training
  2. Soil Amendments
  3. Wildlife, Domesticated Animals, and Land Use
  4. Agricultural Water (Part I: Production Water; Part II: Postharvest Water)
  5. Postharvest Handling and Sanitation
  6. How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan

Training Locations

Year Location Dates Participants
2022 Mexico City, Mexico August 29-31, 2022 30
2022 Chihuahua, Mexico August 25-26, 2022 30
2022 Mexico City, Mexico August 19, 2022 23
2022 Sonora, Mexico August 11-12, 2022 22
2022 Colombia, Colombia June 28-30, 2022 20
2022 Puebla, Mexico June 3, 2022 24
2022 Chihuahua, Mexico April 28, 2022 14
2022 Jalisco, Mexico April 8-9, 2022 13
2022 Nayarit, Mexico April 6-7, 2022 17
2022 Mazatlan, Mexico April 4-5, 2022 20
2022 Mexico: Jalisco, Ciudad, Guzman April 1, 2022 30
2022 Mexico: Jalisco, Sayula March 31, 2022 24
2022 Argentina March 29-31, 2022 20
2022 Jalisco, Mexico February 26, 2022 29
2022 Jalisco, Mexico February 25, 2022 28
2022 Jalisco, Mexico February 24, 2022 28
2022 Jalisco, Mexico February 22, 2022 26
2022 Jalisco, Mexico February 21, 2022 30
2021 Código, Mexico July 6-8, 2021 25
2021 All of Mexico March 24-26, 2021 18
2021 Mexico: Michoacán, Jalisco, Puebla; Colombia: Bogotá March 19-20, 2021 24
2021 Northeast Argentina March 2-4, 2021 21
2020 Honduras Dec. 16-18, 2020 21
2020 Honduras: Morazán, Comayagua, Choluteaca, Santa Barabara, El Paraíso Dec. 2-4, 2020 17
2020 Michoacán, Mexico Nov. 30 - Dec. 1, 2020 17
2020 Honduras: Atlántida, Cortes, Colan Nov. 25-27, 2020 13
2020 Michoacán, Mexico Nov. 23-26, 2020 18
2020 Ensenada, Mexico Nov. 17-19, 2020 19
2020 Choluteca, Honduras Oct. 28-30, 2020 15
2020 Puebla, Mexico Oct. 19-20, 2020 13
2020 Atlantida, Honduras Aug. 5-7, 2020 13
2020 La Seiba, Honduras July 29-31, 2020 15
2020 Puebla, Mexico July 27-28, 2020 12
2020 Puebla, Mexico July 22-24, 2020 11
2020 Comayagua, Honduras July 3-4, 2020 9
2020 Colima, Mexico July 1-3, 2020 9
2020 Choluteca, Honduras June 22-24, 2020 11
2020 Puebla, Mexico June 17-19, 2020 16