Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Food Safety Training

Preventing and controlling the contamination of fresh farm produce is the key to producing wholesome, healthy products. This web-based educational program helps growers to develop and implement farm food safety plans, and prepares them for GAPs certification. As a result, growers can market their products with greater confidence.

The GAPs Online Course

Through the GAPs Online Course, participants learn more about:

• bacteria and other harmful microorganisms commonly associated with fresh produce.
• the costs and impacts of outbreaks caused by foodborne pathogens.
• strategies for controlling potential microbial food safety hazards throughout all phases of production, harvest, and post-harvest handling.
• the USDA Third Party Audit process.

Participants successfully completing the course receive a certificate of participation from University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Time:

• The GAPs program is offered on a rotating basis. Go to the GAPs Web site for more information about registering.
• Each course contains 5 modules.

Credits: Non-credit.

Cost: $50 registration fee

The next course will be offered beginning July 7, 2010. Link to the registration page.