N.C. MarketReady Fresh Produce Safety – Field to Family is an N.C. Cooperative Extension program that educates fruit and vegetable growers about measures to minimize food safety risks. The program, together with researchers and Cooperative Extension specialists at N.C. State University and N.C. A&T State University, developed the Fresh Produce Safety – Field to Family Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Training Curriculum. The training, which consists of nine modules broken into Tier 1 and Tier 2, addresses specific areas of GAPs and managing risks from field to market for N.C. farmers.

Contact Diane Ducharme, coordinator of the N.C. MarketReady Fresh Produce Safety – Field to Family GAPs program, with questions and comments. Feel free to contact the N.C. Cooperative Extension personnel listed with each event for specific details about those trainings, including registration, fees (if applicable) and directions.

Agents can click here to view a detailed explanation of the N.C. MarketReady Fresh Produce Safety – Field to Family GAPs Training Curriculum.

Tier 1
The basic level of fresh produce safety training. The topics covered in the seven hours of instruction include fresh produce safety basics, pathogen introduction, GAPs for field practices, Good Handling Practices (GHPs) for packing facilities, proper health and hygiene, water quality, site selection and manure management. A certificate of attendance will be issued to participants as well as listing in a searchable database open to retailers and the general public.

Tier 2
Focuses on risk identification and management. The topics covered in the seven hours of instruction include transportation, traceability and recalls, liability and insurance options, crisis strategy and risk management. A certificate of attendance will be issued to participants as well as listing in a searchable database open to retailers and the general public.

Tier 3

Focuses on risk implementation workshops that offer greater depth and interactions to aid farmers in the process of attaining GAPs certification. Topics may include updates from new laws and regulations, outbreak and crisis information, and traceability and performance standards. A certificate of attendance will be issued to participants as well as listing in a searchable database open to retailers and the general public.

*The “Find the Answer to GAPs Audit Questions” session on Nov. 30, 2011 will take place during the Fresh Produce Safety Session at the SE Vegetable and Fruit Expo in Myrtle Beach at Kingston Plantation Embassy Suites Hotel. From a panel of food safety experts, participants will be able to interact and ask their questions getting to the “fruit” of their concerns with on-farm fresh produce safety programs. Many learning opportunities have surfaced from emails from growers, questions posed at trainings, educational mock audits and personnel conversations providing insight on documentation needed and how to minimize microbial on individual farms. Grower questions and materials from trainings will be utilized to guide these dynamic conversations aimed in the areas of water, waste, worker hygiene and wildlife issues.