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College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

CFAES

Meeting New Fruit, Veggie Safety Standards: OSU Workshops Set

February 15, 2011

Note: This release was revised 2/23 to reflect a change in the workshop schedule. The workshop originally scheduled for March 1 has been rescheduled to April 4 in the same location. The registration process has been changed as well. Registration and payment are being handled at the door, not by mail.

WOOSTER, Ohio -- Ohio State University’s Fruit and Vegetable Safety Team will offer its first-ever Produce Safety Education Program four times in three places over the next two months.

The first two are set for March 21 in Ottawa west of Findlay, with single sessions to follow on April 4 in Clayton near Dayton and on April 7 in Piketon south of Chillicothe.

Organizers say the program is timed to the approaching growing season and to the recent passage of the U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act, which emphasizes prevention and science-based standards.

“It’s for any fruit and vegetable grower who grows from one acre and sells at a farm stand all the way up to a large-scale grower shipping out of state,” said Ashley Kulhanek, the team’s education associate and one of the program’s planners.

“It’s also aimed at any farmer who may be interested in participating in the Ohio Produce Marketing Agreement, which is currently being drafted,” Kulhanek said. “Being a member of this voluntary program requires attendance in a produce safety course.”

The three-hour course will cover four main areas -- water issues, soil amendments, good handling practices and traceability -- plus consumer perceptions, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and a background on foodborne illnesses.

An included workbook will help participants identify, assess and manage their risk and implement standard operating procedures.

“Start making small changes now so it doesn’t hit you all at once,” Kulhanek said of the coming federal regulations. “Sometimes the smallest changes can make a big difference.”

The instructors will be experts on food safety and fruit and vegetable management from Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC). Participants will receive a certificate of completion.

Registration and payment ($40 per person) will be done at the door. Participants can call 330-202-3555, ext. 2918, in advance to reserve a spot. Attendance in each session is limited to 50.

Choose from one of two sessios on March 21: 9 a.m.-noon or 1-4 p.m., both at OSU Extension’s Putnam County office, 124 Putnam Parkway, Ottawa.

 

The April 4 program goes from 6-9 p.m. at Northmont High School, 4916 National Rd., Clayton.

On April 7, attend from 1-4 p.m. in room 160 of the Endeavor Center at the OSU South Centers, 1862 Shyville Rd., Piketon.

 

For more information, call 330-202-3555, ext. 2918, e-mail kulhanek.5@osu.edu or visit http://www.producesafety.osu.edu (click on “Program Dates”).

 

OSU Extension and OARDC are the outreach and research arms, respectively, of Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

 

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Author(s): 
Kurt Knebusch
Source(s): 
Ashley Kulhanek