Food Safety Training for Fruit and Vegetable Producers to be Held Jan. 8

Introduction to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Certification

ANNAPOLIS, MD (Dec. 22, 2010) – On January 8, the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the University of Maryland will conduct food safety training for fruit and vegetable producers.  This one-day workshop is important for producers who want to understand how to meet current and future U.S. Food and Drug Administration food safety requirements through the voluntary GAP certification program. The training will also provide assistance in implementing a GAP program.

Topics to be covered include:  basics of GAP; addressing water quality issues; MDA/University of Maryland programs to assist producers in implementing GAP; The MDA GAP program; and GAP programs to meet buyer audit requirements.

Training will be held at the MDA Headquarters, 50 Harry S Truman Parkway, Annapolis, Md., from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on January 8, 2011. The training fee is $20, which includes lunch and materials. The registration form is available online at: www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/gapregform.pdf or call Deanna Baldwin at 410-841-5769, email: [email protected] .  Registrations must be received by January 5, 2011.

MDA is offering two GAP programs for fruit and vegetable producers.   To meet the requirements of buyers for GAP certification, the farm or business must complete a successful audit of its operation conducted by MDA’s Food Quality Assurance Program to determine compliance with Good Agricultural Practices. The program is conducted through a cooperative agreement with USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. The audit provides national recognition for producers to the many buyers now requiring audits for compliance to the GAP guidelines.  MDA’s Food Quality Assurance Program is also offering a GAP program geared towards producers not required to have certification by their buyers.  This program is to assist producers selling directly to consumers or in other ways not requiring official certification implement GAP practices.

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