The Produce Safety Rule states that at least one responsible person must complete training equivalent to the standardized curriculum recognized by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), if the farm is a covered farm:
- that sells over $500,000 worth of fresh produce OR
- that sells more than $25,000 and up to $500,00, if they do not meet the requirements of the Qualified Exemption
Presently, the only grower training program that meets the requirements of the Produce Safety Rule is the Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training. The Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) developed this FDA approved curricula. There are plans to develop an online option, but currently there is none. Information regarding the course can be found here: https://producesafetyalliance.cornell.edu/training/
The produce safety community believes that all growers should be knowledgeable of the standards that now govern the industry. We encourage all growers, regardless of compliance status, to take the course.
The University of Connecticut Extension offers the PSA Grower Training course up to three times per year: once in late November/early December and two in February/March.
If you would like to be on the email list to be notified of course registration information, please email: indu.upadhyaya@uconn.edu.