The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the University of Maryland will conduct a series of food safety training workshops for fruit and vegetable producers, co-sponsored by University of Maryland Extension (UME).

These one-day workshops, offered across Maryland, are important for small- and large- scale producers who want to understand how to meet future Food Safety Modernization Act requirements and how to seek Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) certification to meet buyer requirements. The training will provide assistance in writing and implementing a GAP program for both wholesale growers and direct marketers.

Topics to be covered include: highlights of the federal Food Safety Modernization Act; basics of GAP; addressing water pre-harvest and post-harvest water quality issues; rodent control; writing a food safety plan; and MDA/University of Maryland programs to assist producers in implementing GAP. A large portion of the training will be spent helping producers write their own food safety plans. Producers are encouraged to bring their own laptops. Laptops will be provided to those who cannot bring them.

The workshop schedule for 2013 is shown below. A small fee will cover lunch costs and materials provided to each participant, and attendees will receive a certificate of participation following the program. Reservations and questions about local arrangements can be made to the contact person listed for each training session.

February 26. Eastern Shore GAP training.

• Intended for producers with commercial farms that range from small to large.
• Place: English Hall of Eastern Shore Hospital Center. 5262 Woods Road, Cambridge, MD 21613.
• Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Contact: Please contact Sudeep Mathew, [email protected], 410-228-8800.

March 1. Central Maryland GAP training.

• Intended for producers with commercial farms that range from small to large; during this meeting additional time will focus on urban farm GAP issues.
• Place: Baltimore County Extension office, 1114 Shawan Rd, Cockeysville, MD 21030.
• Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Contact Elizabeth Hill, [email protected], 410-989-1324.

March 4. Southern Maryland GAP training.

• Intended for producers with commercial farms that range from small to large.
• Place: St. Mary’s Ag. Services Center. 26737 Radio Station Way, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
• Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Contact: Ben Beale, [email protected], 301-475-4481.

March 11. Central Maryland GAP training.

• Intended for producers with commercial farms that range from small to large.
• Place: Montgomery County Extension office, 18410 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD 20855.
• Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Contact: Chuck Schuster, [email protected], 301-590-2807.

MDA offers two GAP certification programs for fruit and vegetable producers. Nationally recognized certification is provided through a cooperative agreement with USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service and meets the requirements of many wholesale buyers. MDA GAP certification is available for direct marketers. For more information on these programs, contact Deanna Baldwin, Food Quality Assurance Program, MDA at [email protected] or 410-841-5769 or Donna Pahl, University of Maryland at [email protected] or 301-405-4372.

For more information about MDA’s Good Agricultural Practices Program.

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