AMES – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering a workshop to address food safety Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and MarketReady strategies.
The three, all-day workshops will be held at the ISU Extension and Outreach Union County Office in Creston on consecutive Thursdays in 2016, Jan. 28 , Feb. 4 and Feb. 11. Producers can register for and attend one or more the workshops.
“Producers investing in GAP training demonstrate their commitment to their customers,” said Angela Shaw, assistant professor in food science and human nutrition and extension specialist in food safety at Iowa State University. “And with the local food movement becoming so prevalent at Iowa farmers markets, restaurants and large institutions, vendors need to know the importance of assuring customers that they are selling safe food.”
Further, many of these places that serve food to Iowans away from home may request some type of food safety assurance – completion of GAP training provides this assurance to the foodservice. A certificate of completion is given at the end of each workshop, which provides documentation that a producer has taken the training.
Level 1 GAP workshops are for growers who provide food to consumers through community-supported agriculture or farmers markets, or are considering retail foodservice sales.
Training covers good agriculture best practices and market considerations.
Level 2 GAP workshops guide farmers in the development of a written farm food safety plan.
Farmers considering sales to retail foodservices such as grocers, restaurants, hospitals and other institutions, and those interested in adding value to fresh produce and selling products in a convenience form will have the tools to demonstrate GAPs are in place after attending the workshop.
Iowa MarketReady Training is for local food producers who currently sell their products directly to consumers and are looking into wholesale marketing to restaurants, grocery stores and institutions. It is not intended for home gardeners. This course is taught in two parts, the first is an online pre-workshop activity that is viewed at home before attending the face-to-face workshop. At the workshop, attendees will hear from a panel of grocery produce buyers and restaurant chefs.
“MarketReady training helps commercial food producers decide whether they are ready to expand to meet the demands of a wholesale market,” said Linda Naeve, extension program specialist in the value added agriculture program at Iowa State University. “It provides them with the tools they need to meet the market demands.”
MarketReady Online Activity: Prior to Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016
MarketReady Face-to-face workshop: Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016
GAP Level 1: Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016
GAP Level 2: Thursday, Feb.11, 2016
Registration deadline is midnight, 10 days before the workshop date. Cost for each workshop is $55 and includes training materials, lunch and refreshments. Discounted registration is available for attending two or more workshops.
Online registration is required to attend each workshop and must be received no later than 10 days prior to the workshop.
To register, go to www.extension.iastate.edu/valueaddedag/content/market-ready-food-safety-training