DATCP Food Safety Training for Produce Growers

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will host several required food safety trainings for Wisconsin produce growers as part of federal produce safety rules. To determine if your produce farm needs to participate, use DATCP’s online tool or “Is my farm covered by the new Federal produce safety rules?” fact sheet. The produce safety rules are part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act.

Based on the amount of produce sales determines when the training must be completed. Growers with produce sales annually of:

• More than $500,000 must complete training prior to this year’s growing season.
• $250,000-$500,000 must complete training before the 2019 growing season.
• Less than $250,000 must complete training before the 2020 growing season.

At least one supervisor or other responsible person from the farm must complete the training. Trainings are being offered on the following dates:  April 12, West Madison Agricultural Station, Verona; April 13, Neville Public Museum, Green Bay; and April 17, Clarion Hotel Northwoods Ballroom, Eau Claire.

For growers who do not need to complete training until 2019 and 2020, additional trainings will be provided in the future.

Classes will run 8 am to 5 pm. Cost is $60 per person and includes lunch. To register, email [email protected] or call 608.224.4511. For more information visit datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/SafeWisconsinProduce.aspx.