Produce Safety Training for Fruit Vegetable Growers Iowa

By Andi Anderson

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training to support fruit and vegetable growers who sell produce for human consumption.

This training program is recognized by the United States Food and Drug Administration and is designed to help farmers meet the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule.

The training is suitable for commercial fruit and vegetable growers, home gardeners who sell produce, and individuals interested in learning more about safe food production.

Participants will gain a clear understanding of Good Agricultural Practices and the rules that apply to growing, harvesting, packing, and holding fresh produce for public distribution.

Andre Salazar, extension education specialist in food safety, explained the importance of the program for growers entering the commercial market.

“The PSA Grower Training course satisfies the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement that at least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under a standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration,” he said.

In person training sessions will be held on February 18 at the ISU Extension and Outreach Polk County office in Altoona and on March 10 at the ISU Extension and Outreach Johnson County office in Iowa City. For those who cannot attend in person, a virtual training session will be offered in April through Zoom, allowing participants to learn from any location.

The registration cost for the training is thirty dollars. This fee includes course attendance, a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training manual, and an American Food and Drug Officials certificate of completion.

Registration is available online through the ISU Safe Produce website, and the fee will be collected during the registration process.

This training is supported by funding through a cooperative agreement that helps prepare farmers for the implementation of federal produce safety standards. The program aims to strengthen food safety knowledge, protect consumers, and help growers meet legal requirements.

By attending this training, growers can improve farm practices, build trust with buyers, and ensure their products meet safety expectations. The program provides a simple and effective way for fruit and vegetable producers to stay informed, meet regulations, and improve the quality and safety of fresh produce offered to the public.

Photo Credit: iowa-state-university