Wisconsin Potatoes

Now more than ever growers need to understand how food safety requirements impact their farming operations. With that in mind, the WPVGA is working with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and Consumer Protection to offer 6 food safety workshops. The workshops will be tailored to the needs of smaller and larger growers.

This important training will answer a wide variety of questions, such as:

1) How will new federal food safety legislation affect my operation?
2) Do I need to be GAP certified?
3) Do I need a food safety plan?
4) What are the basics and best practices of food safety?
5) What are the first steps in writing a food safety plan?
6) What are the latest retail supplier certification requirements?

Whether you are a larger grower needing to prepare for third-party safety audits, or a smaller grower needing general information about on-farm food safety, this interactive training will help you prepare your farming operation for the future.

These advanced food safety workshops will emphasize the requirements needed by larger organizations seeking to be audited in connection with certification against one or more quality and food safety standards. Organizations involved with this level of certification should already be well acquainted with the requirements for an effective GAP program. This workshop will emphasize the advanced topics surrounding the development of programs to ensure the company meets good manufacturing practices as is required by food processors and retailers, and HACCP for ensuring safety of products. Procedural document development, validation, and record structure for compliance with GFSI standards will be emphasized.

Schedule for Smaller Growers

Monday, April 4: 1-5 p.m. – Viroqua
• Western Technical College
• Address: 220 South Main Street, Virocqua, WI 54665
• Contact Nicole Penick – 608-637-3615
• Cost: $20
Wednesday, April 6: 12-4 p.m. – Oconomowoc
• Oconomowoc Lake Club
• Address: 4668 Lake Club Circle, Oconomowoc, WI 53066
• Contact: Sue White – 262-567-4934
• Cost: $20

Friday, April 15: 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. - Green Bay
• Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
• Address: 2740 West Mason Street, Green Bay, WI 54307
• Contact: Valerie Dantoin – 920-498-5568
• Cost: $20

This general food safety training will be provided to assist smaller growers in understanding and handling of the risks of food-borne illness. This will consist of classroom style training and workshop environments that will emphasize the role of personal hygiene, chemical handling safety, pest control, and sanitation practices in minimizing the spread of biological, chemical, and foreign matter hazards while growing and handling fresh produce. It will include the basic requirements for writing documented procedures to control food-borne hazards, and how to maintain records of compliance with GHP/GAP requirements.

If you are interested in attending this valuable food safety training, please contact Tim Feit at the WPVGA office (715-623-7683) or the direct contacts listed above.