Image of the Breadfruit - grown in the Caribbean Islands.

The public is invited to participate in a free virtual three-day Produce Safety Alliance Training and Certification event on Dec. 1 – 3, 2020. The training will take place via the Zoom platform.

This training is designed for fruit and vegetable growers and others who are interested in learning about produce safety, and compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule and the principles of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs).

Presentation topics will include an introduction to produce safety, worker health and hygiene, soil amendments, wildlife and domesticated animal management, production and postharvest water use, postharvest handling and sanitation, and how to develop a farm food safety plan.

Growers and other interested persons should register for this free training by using the following link https://forms.gle/g5uPYjuXeb9gGJ5q8. Participation in the entire training is required to receive a certificate. The registration deadline is November 27, 2020, with limited participant capacity.

This Grower’s training and certification activity is a collaboration between the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, the University of the Virgin Islands’ School of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, the University of Florida, the National Farmers Union, and the Food and Drug Administration. All expenses related to this educational program, including the training manuals and certificates of completion will be defrayed by the National Farmers Union.

For questions regarding this activity, please contact Vanessa Forbes at vanessa.forbes@uvi.edu or by telephone at (340) 692-4054.