March 15, 2011

A workshop in Box Butte County in April will help producers meet food safety requirements of new federal legislation.

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, signed into law in January, requires producers to

• evaluate potential hazards to their products,
• create measures to prevent contamination, and
• develop written food safety plans.

The two-day workshop, offered by UNL Extension in partnership with NU Rural Initiative and the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society, is scheduled for April 14 and 21 in Alliance.

Training will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at the Box Butte County Extension Office, 415 Black Hills Ave.

Workshops will help fresh produce growers complete the Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) training.

At the end of the workshops, participating producers will understand GAPs and have parts of their own farm food safety plans developed. The topics covered will help producers enhance worker sanitation, harvesting, handling, packaging, storage and transportation standards of fresh produce from the farm operation to markets, schools, restaurants and retail stores.

By completing a farm food safety plan, producers can differentiate themselves in the marketplace and appeal to many consumers who perceive this training as an added benefit.

Educational materials and workshop costs are funded by a USDA Rural Development Rural Business Enterprise grant to the Nebraska Sustainable Ag Society in partnership with the University of Nebraska Rural Initiative.

Reservations

Reservations are required by April 7 for the workshops To register, contact the NU Rural Initiative by e-mailing gaps@unl.edu or calling (402) 472-2940. Online registration is available at http://ruralinitiative.nebraska.edu by clicking on the GAPs Training link under Announcements and following instructions on the page.

David Ostdiek
Communications/Technology Specialist
Panhandle REC, Scottsbluff