Update on 2015 Food Safety Training Classes

WPVGA is once again offering food safety training classes. This is to help growers understand the food safety process and what is expected of them during an audit as well as the best way to continue expanding their markets.

WPVGA encourages all members to participate in food safety training as it has and is quickly becoming a requirement to stay in business. If you are unsure of which class(es) to attend, please use the following as a guideline or call the WPVGA Office:

Harmonized Standard:

• If you have no audit on file, or have/are participating in a USDA GAP audit:
  • Enroll in one of the Harmonized Standard classes listed below
  • Harmonized Standard is a good first step before moving to a higher audit
  • Audit needs to be scheduled annually.
  • NOTE:  If your customer(s) is/are requiring a higher level audit, make sure Harmonized Standard is acceptable for at least a year.

Primus GFS:

• If you have/are participating in Harmonized Standard or USDA GAP, and are being required to have a GFSI-Certified audit on file:
  • Enroll in the globally-accepted audit scheme, Primus GFS.
  • This is a 3-day course that provides a certificate for each day completed.
  • NOTE:  If possible, it is best to participate in an audit at this level after completing the Harmonized Standard and/or USDA GAP audit.

HACCP Certification (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point):

• Required for all wash plants and packing houses.
• Every grower member should have a minimum of two people certified per organization.
• Benefits:
  • It helps with your risk assessment
  • It helps document your food safety plan as is a new requirement for each organization.
  • Each certified person serves as a “qualified individual” as is a new requirement for each organization.

Dates for the 2015 training are as follows:

Primus GFS
March 2, 3 and 4, 2015 (3 day class)
Fee: $25/person/day plus $30/certificate/person/day
9am-5pm (includes 1 hour lunch break)

HACCP Certification
(Required attendance on both days for certification)
March 5 and 6, 2015
Fee: $25/person/day plus $50/certificate/person
9am-5pm (includes 1 hour lunch break)

Harmonized Standard Session 1
March 10, 2015
No fee
9am-5pm (includes 1 hour lunch break)

Harmonized Standard Session 2 
(Same info presented as in session 1)
March 11, 2015
No fee
9am-5pm (includes 1 hour lunch break)

The above prices include lunch and breaks. All classes will be held at the Grand Lodge Waterpark Resort in Rothschild (805 Creske Ave. Phone: 715-241-6300). Attendees are responsible for their own hotel accommodations. WPVGA has a block of rooms reserved for each class at a set fee of $70/night.

WPVGA must receive payment for all participants by or at Grower Ed (February 3-5, 2015).

If you have questions, please contact the WPVGA office at 715-623-7683.

2015 Food Safety Sign-Up Form