Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:Target Audience College of the Sequoias: Objective 1: 384 individuals attended FSMA-related training and received their certificates in order to comply with food safety regulations. In executing this project for the FSMA-related food safety training, we were able to reach small farmers and producers, beginning farmers and socially disadvantaged farmers such as disabled Veteran farmers and minority farmers. Approximately 85% of the individuals trained were minorities (Asian, Hispanic, Black and others). The individuals trained included farmers, producers and key personnel that are involved with growing, harvesting and processing crops in California and other states across the nation. Trainings were conducted in Tulare County, California and Fresno County, California as well as live online. Trainers used a variety of methods to educate including lecture, small group exercises, case studies, discussion and more. We reached our target audience by directed marketing through Constant Contact. Each training has its own webpage on our college department's website. Trainings were also posted on the Produce Safety Alliance website, and the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance webpages. Approximately 27% of individuals found the training directly through our website, 28% found it through email from the Training Resource Center, while another 16% found the training through word of mouth. Other promotional efforts include word-of-mouth, networking events such as industrial roundtables and social media. We have partnered with Tulare and Kings County Farm Bureaus, UC Cooperative Extension Food Safety group and Central Valley Food Safety Committee to promote these trainings as well. Objective 2: We have conducted a total of 43 trainings in English including HACCP, Preventive Controls for Human Foods, Preventive Controls for Animal Foods, GAP, Internal Auditor, Foreign Supplier Verification Program, GMP, Primus Updates and PSA Grower. Objective 3: Out of the 384 individuals trained, 287 have increased their food safety knowledge, for a total of 75%. Target Audience State Center Community College (sub awardee) Objective 1: The scope of work was changed Objective 1 in May 2023 from conducting mock farm inspections to conducting additional PSA-Produce Safety Alliance Trainings (Objective 2). Objective 2: There was a total of 16 trainings conducted during the grant period: 7 in English, 8 in Spanish and 1 in Hmong. A total of 366 individuals have been trained and received their Produce Safety Certificates from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) in compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Training was conducted in the participants' primary language. In addition, resources were provided to each participant for them to establish a Produce Safety Plan and practices to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. In achieving Objective 2, we reached several socially, economically and/or educationally disadvantaged groups of small farmers, producers, processors, and key personnel. There were 177 Spanish speaking Hispanic participants that successfully completed the training. In addition, out of the 166 English participants over 120 were Hispanic. Other targeted populations included African American farmers (7) and Southeast Asian farmers (25). Out of the 25 Southeast Asian Farmers, 23 attended a specialized training that was conducted in Hmong. The individuals trained included farmers, producers and key personnel that are involved with growing, harvesting and processing Specialty Crops in California. The target audience was reached through advertisement, postings, and partnerships. Constant contact was our primary marketing tool to reach past participants in several of our agricultural related programs and trainings. Prior participants were also a great resource in referring participants. In addition, we partnered with the Asian Business Institute and Resource Center (ABIRC) to reach local disadvantaged small farmers that often sell in farmer's markets and specialty stores. ABIRC serves and works with local, small Hispanic, African American, and Southeast Asian farmers. Training was also posted on the Produce Safety Alliance Website. Objective 3: A total of 18 onsite Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) trainings were conducted in Spanish and trained a total of 429 Hispanic farmworkers. This training was targeted at key personnel that have daily duties related to growing, harvesting, and processing Specialty Crops in California. This training helps maintain compliance with the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and establishes practices to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. Trainings were conducted in the fields where key personnel work throughout the Central Valley and Northern Valley including Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Merced, and San Joaquin Counties. The target audience was reached with direct marketing from trainer to various farms and farm labor contractors. Changes/Problems:College of the Sequoias: Problem: We had to cancel thirteen classes due to low enrollment; to fix this challenge, we utilized more of the Program Income to increase direct marketing efforts to the target audience to grow awareness of these available low-cost trainings. This included LinkedIn ads directed toward farmers in our region, as well as Constant Contact to send direct email campaigns. Change: Our efforts to bring the "Beyond Basic Produce Food Safety training" to California were not fruitful after key players resigned and left us with no curriculum or alternatives. It was agreed that our partner, Central Valley Food Safety Committee, would work with Trevor Suslow instead, to bring additional training to the target audience. Both leaders of the Central Valley Food Safety Committee also resigned and their partnership to bring Trevor Suslow into this project to provide training ended. These project funds were re-allocated to extend the project and deliver more FSMA food safety trainings. Change: In October 2021, we reached out to our Point of Contact on this project to request the addition of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) training to the target audience. This change did not affect our budget, as we had to cancel certain trainings due to low enrollment; we simply used those funds to pay for the GMP training. It helped us meet our objectives by bringing more food safety training to more people in California's Central Valley. This GMP training addition was approved by our monitor. State Center Community College: Initial goals of the project for Training Institute (TI) at State Center Community College District was to prepare 50 specialty crop producers for FSMA Produce Safety inspections. We requested and received a change of scope in the grant. The Training Institute offered 4 additional Produce Safety Alliance training courses to expend the remaining funds. The change was a result of lack of participation from the specialty crop producers. The training institute worked with two different contractors to achieve this objective, and both received similar feedback from the producers. Producers felt the inspections would lead to regulatory issues and fines from the documentation that was needed for the grant. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?College of the Sequoias: Results of the project have been posted on the College of the Sequoias Training Resource Center website. They have also been shared with the Western Regional Center to Enhance Food Safety. Pre and post tests have been conducted by trainees for each PSA and FSPCA training as well; the results of which go to the Western Regional Center to Enhance Food Safety. State Center Community College: Results were summarized and posted on State Center Community College District's website. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Accomplishments College of the Sequoias: For objective #1 and #2: We have collaborated with two local trainers and one remote trainer via Zoom to deliver all 43 of these essential trainings. A total of 384 individuals from the target audience have received industry-recognized certificates from the International Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) Alliance, Food Safety Preventative Controls Alliance and the Produce Safety Alliance. These individuals were small farmers and producers, beginning farmers and socially disadvantaged farmers such as disabled Veteran farmers and minority farmers. We did not meet Objective #1 to train at least 500 people in FSMA-related training but we exceeded Objective #2 to deliver at least 35 trainings. For objective #3: Out of the 353 individuals who filled out the evaluation form, 81% on average increased their food safety knowledge and the classes received an average of 4.9/5 in overall satisfaction of training from participants. We exceeded Objective #1 to have at least 50% of trainees increase food safety knowledge. For Objective #4: 172 people attended our six food safety industry speaker-lunch events. They were able to meet other food safety professionals, listen to food safety experts, network and learn about relevant topics such as traceability, data sharing, microbial contamination and much more. Additionally, project staff Laurel Garver attended the Western Regional Center to Enhance Food Safety 6th Annual Meeting in Las Cruces, New Mexico on May 4-5, 2022. USDA NIFA Food Safety Outreach Programs (FSOP) were reported on and Mrs. Garver gave a short report on the progress of this FSOP project and learned about other FSOP projects being delivered in the Western region. Project Director attended the Western Regional Center to Enhance Food Safety 7th Annual Meeting in Prosser, Washington on May 3-4, 2023. USDA NIFA Food Safety Outreach Programs (FSOP) were reported on and Mr. Zegarra gave a short report on the progress of this FSOP project and learned about other FSOP projects being delivered in the Western region. Accomplishments State Center Community College: Initial goals of the project for Training Institute (TI) at State Center Community College District was to prepare 50 specialty crop producers for FSMA Produce Safety inspections, deliver Produce Safety Grower training to 200 people and deliver GAP training in Spanish to 400 people. Due to lack of cooperation and fear of triggering official audits, producers were reluctant to allow for our contractors to conduct the farm visits, therefore the scope of work was changed to conduct additional Produce Safety Trainings. As a result, a total, 34 trainings were completed which resulted in 795 participants receiving training in Produce Safety and Good Agriculture practices when harvesting fields, to prevent foodborne illnesses. We were able to exceed the number of individuals trained in produce safety by 166 and we exceeded the number of individuals trained in GAP by 29. Out of the 34 trainings, 16 were completed for Produce Safety Grower Training, resulting in 366 people being trained in Produce Safety and certified by AFDO. In addition, the 366 people were provided additional Produce Safety best practices and materials that included Good Agricultural Practices, Worker Health and Hygiene Policies in both English and Spanish to help train their key personnel and workers in Produce Safety on a regular basis. Food Safety and Visitor Policy templates were provided to each participant to reinforce the most important aspects of the training and to encourage the creation and/or review of their Produce Safety Plans. Produce Safety Grower Training was delivered to 177 individuals in their primary language of Spanish resulting in increased inclusion, quality and comprehension of the training materials and practices. In addition, we received special permission from the Produce Safety Alliance to conduct one training in the Southeast Asian language of Hmong. This delivery served 23 small and unrepresented farmers in the local community around Fresno County. The additional 18 trainings were conducted in Spanish, resulting in 429 Hispanic farmworkers, supervisors and crew leaders being trained in Good Agricultural Practices. Workers were successfully training in multiple counties including Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Merced, and San Joaquin. Each trainee was held accountable in signing and agreeing that they understand the GAP practices, in addition, they received a copy of the best practices to refer to. Out of the 366 individuals that attended the Produce Safety Alliance training, 256 completed the course evaluation. Only 20% of the participants had prior training in Good Agricultural Practices and 77% indicated that they had no prior training. The evaluations were completed by the following demographics: 75% Hispanic, 10 % Asian/Pacific Islander, 6% white, 4% other and 2% black. 4% of the participants did not respond. At the completion of the course, the evaluations indicate that overall, more than 93% of the participants increased their knowledge in produce safety. Specifically in the following areas, participants indicated their knowledge increased: Produce safety requirements in the FSMA Produce Safety Rule (93%) Worker health, hygiene, and worker training requirements (93%) Soil amendment requirements (93%) Wildlife, domesticated animals, and land use requirements (95%) Production water requirements (95%) Postharvest water requirements (94%) Postharvest handling and sanitation requirements (95%) Developing a food safety plan (90%) In addition, 96% of the participants that completed evaluations indicated that they felt that the information provided in the curriculum materials was sufficient to help guide them into implementing the FSMA requirements. Overall, we exceeded our target in the number of individuals trained and we successfully reached our target audience.
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Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:Target Audience College of the Sequoias: Objective 1: 228 individuals attended FSMA-related training and received their certificates in order to comply with food safety regulations. In executing this project for the FSMA-related food safety training, we were able to reach small farmers and producers, beginning farmers and socially disadvantaged farmers such as disabled Veteran farmers and minority farmers. Approximately 72% of the individuals trained were minorities (Asian, Hispanic, Black and others). The individuals trained included farmers, producers and key personnel that are involved with growing, harvesting and processing crops in California and other states across the nation. Trainings were conducted in Tulare County, California and Fresno County, California as well as live online. Trainers used a variety of methods to educate including lecture, small group exercises, case studies, discussion and more. Objective 2: We have conducted a total of 29 trainings in English including HACCP, Preventive Controls for Human Foods, Preventive Controls for Animal Foods, GAP, Internal Auditor, Foreign Supplier Verification Program, GMP, Primus Updates and PSA Grower. Objective 3: Out of the 105 individuals trained, 74 have increased their food safety knowledge, for a total of 70%. Target Audience State Center Community College District (sub awardee): Objective 1: During this report period, we have developed the criteria for conducting farm visits to see if the growers are in compliance with the FSMA Produce Safety rules and regulations. The target audience of the reviews are small, socially, economically and educationally disadvantaged farmers. Our contractor has reached out to several growers and is currently in the process of scheduling farm visits. Objective 2: We conducted a total of 4 trainings during this report period. Two were conducted in English and two in Spanish. A total of 90 individuals completed the FSMA Produce Safety training in their primary language and received their certificates to comply with the FSMA regulations. In addition, they were provided templates and resources to create a Produce Safety Plan. The participants were encouraged to establish best practices to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses. In executing the project for the FSMA Produce Safety training, we reached over 80 individuals from socially, economically and/or educationally disadvantaged groups. In Spanish, we trained 44 farmers, producers and key personnel that are involved with growing, harvesting and processing Specialty Crops in California. We reached this target audience through advertising through Constant Contact and recruiting from our Farm Labor Contractor trainings. In addition, we partnered with the Asian Business Resource Center to reach local small farmers from socially, economically and educationally disadvantaged farmers. They recruited 8 Spanish speaking growers, and we provided a central location for them to take the training remotely. Objective 3: Nothing to report during this report period. Changes/Problems:College of the Sequoias: Problem: We have had to cancel eight classes due to low enrollment; to fix this challenge, we intend to utilize more of the Program Income to increase direct marketing efforts to the target audience to grow awareness of these available low-cost trainings. Change: During the last reporting period, we reported that our efforts to bring the "Beyond Basic Produce Food Safety training" to California were not fruitful after key players resigned and left us with no curriculum or alternatives. It was agreed that our partner, Central Valley Food Safety Committee, would work with Trevor Suslow instead, to bring additional training to the target audience. Both leaders of the Central Valley Food Safety Committee also resigned and their partnership to bring Trevor Suslow into this project to provide training ended. These project funds have been re-allocated to extend the project and deliver more FSMA food safety trainings. State Center Community College District (sub awardee): There have not been any major changes in approach. We have had some issues with completing the Produce Safety Inspections. The first individual we had contracted with was unable to fulfill the contact and that contract had to be terminated. The inspections were held up as we searched and located a second contractor. We will be re-evaluating the feasibility of our contractor identifying and completing 50 voluntary farm visits over the next months. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?College of the Sequoias: We reached our target audience by directed marketing through Constant Contact. Each training has its own webpage on our college department's website. Trainings were also posted on the Produce Safety Alliance website, and the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance webpages. Approximately 23% of individuals found the training directly through our website, while another 23% found the training through word of mouth. Other promotional efforts include word-of-mouth, networking events such as industrial roundtables and social media. We have partnered with Tulare and Kings County Farm Bureaus, UC Cooperative Extension Food Safety group and Central Valley Food Safety Committee to promote these trainings as well. Results of the project have also been shared for each training with the Western Regional Center to Enhance Food Safety. Pre and post tests have been conducted by trainees for each PSA and FSPCA training as well; the results of which go to the Western Regional Center to Enhance Food Safety. State Center Community College District (sub awardee): We reached these individuals by targeted marketing through Constant Contact. We partnered with our Farm Labor Contractor Trainings to announce and provide flyers for the Produce Safety Training. Trainings were also posted on the Produce Safety Alliance Website as well as the Training Institute Website. For the Farm visits, our contractor is completing outreach at various trainings and contacting his list of farmers through phone calls. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?College of the Sequoias: During the next period of activity, we plan to accomplish our goals using many of the same methods used previously, including reaching our target audience through direct marketing, posting on our website, using social media and utilizing partnerships to spread the information about our trainings. Additionally, we plan to use more of the Program Income to increase promotional efforts to our target audience. State Center Community College District (sub awardee): During the next reporting period, the focus will be on completing Objective 1 the FSMA Produce Safety Inspections. We have identified and contracted with an individual to conduct the Produce Safety Mock Inspections. We anticipate the actual inspections to start within November and December 2022.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Accomplishments College of the Sequoias: California Department of Food and Agriculture 2018-2019 statistics show that 8 out of the 10 top producing counties in California are in California's Central Valley. Additionally, in 2019, there were 69,900 farms in California, but only 9,117 participants have completed a Produce Safety Grower training. Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requirements have increased and introduced food safety requirements to ensure the protection of the food supply chain. Offering more training through this project helps farmers become more knowledgeable in the FSMA food safety rules. Farmers and food processors often have difficulty sending their employees to training due to the inconvenience and cost of travel. With 8 out of 10 of the top producing California counties located in the Central Valley, we want to bring the benefit of local, convenient training to our local underserved workforce. For our objective #1 and #2: We have collaborated with two local trainers to deliver 28 of these essential trainings. A total of 237 individuals from the target audience have received industry-recognized certificates from the International Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) Alliance, Food Safety Preventative Controls Alliance and the Produce Safety Alliance. These individuals were small farmers and producers, beginning farmers and socially disadvantaged farmers such as disabled Veteran farmers and minority farmers. For objective #3: Out of the 210 individuals who filled out the evaluation form, 86% on average increased their food safety knowledge and the classes received an average of 4.8/5 in overall satisfaction of training from participants. For Objective #4: 28 people attended our three food safety industry speaker-lunch events: Thais Ramos speaking about Sources of Microbial Contamination for Fresh Produce During Field Cultivation; Sonia Salas speaking on Advancing Data Sharing for the Produce Industry and George Nikolich speaking on Compliance for Stone Fruit Packing Facility. Additionally, project staff Laurel Garver attended the Western Regional Center to Enhance Food Safety 6th Annual Meeting in Las Cruces, New Mexico on May 4-5, 2022. USDA NIFA Food Safety Outreach Programs (FSOP) were reported on and Mrs. Garver gave a short report on the progress of this FSOP project and learned about other FSOP projects being delivered in the Western region. Accomplishments State Center Community College District (sub awardee): According to the California Department of Public Health, foodborne illness has seen a minimal decline since Produce Safety Rule mandated produce safety training for farming operations. For the target audience, the most common cause of foodborne illness can be traced to post-harvesting practices of farm workers. This collaborative project is enabling small and mid-sized farms, beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, small processors, and small fresh fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers to enhance their competitiveness and increase their knowledge of Food Safety by ensuring compliance to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Objective 1 Along with our contractor, we developed the criteria for the farm visits to ensure growers are in compliance with FSMA Produce Safety. Each packet has a checklist that will be reviewed with the growers to determine if their grower practices ensure produce safety. We have secured a contractor/trainer that will be conducting the visits and will work with the growers in order to recommend better practices when issues are identified. Our contractor is currently recruiting growers and educating them on the process. Objective 2 Produce Safety Training We coordinated and facilitated 4 additional trainings in FSMA Produce Safety Training which resulted in an additional 90 growers, farm labor contractors and key personnel being certified in produce safety. The individuals were from small to mid-sized farms, beginning farmers and socially disadvantaged groups. Out of the 90 individuals that attended training, 64 completed the course evaluation. Only 21% of the participants had a prior training in Good Agricultural products and 79% indicated that they had no prior training. At the completion of the course, the evaluations indicate that approximately 90% of the participants knowledge increased in the following areas that affect produce safety: Produce safety requirements in the FSMA Produce Safety Rule (92%) Worker health, hygiene, and worker training requirements (94%) Soil amendment requirements (90%) Wildlife, domesticated animals and land use requirements (92%) Production water requirements (94%) Postharvest water requirements (92%) Postharvest handling and sanitation requirements (94%) Developing a food safety plan (94%) In addition, 100% of the participants that completed evaluations indicated that they felt that the information provided in the curriculum materials was sufficient to helping guide them into implementing the FSMA requirements.
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Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience: Target Audience College of the Sequoias: We have conducted a total of 13 trainings in English including HACCP, Preventive Controls for Human Foods, Preventive Controls for Animal Foods, GAP, Internal Auditor, Foreign Supplier Verification Program and PSA Grower. There were 105 individuals who received these trainings and received their certificates in order to comply with FSMA-related food safety regulations. In executing this project for the FSMA-related food safety training, we were able to reach small farmers and producers, beginning farmers and socially disadvantaged farmers such as disabled Veteran farmers and minority farmers. Approximately 50% of the individuals trained were Hispanic, while 14% were other minorities. The individuals trained included farmers, producers and key personnel that are involved with growing, harvesting and processing crops in California and other states across the nation. Trainings were conducted in Tulare County, California as well as live online. Trainers used a variety of methods to educate including lecture, small group exercises, case studies, discussion and more. Out of the 105 individuals trained, 74 have increased their food safety knowledge, for a total of 70%. Target Audience State Center Community College District (sub awardee): We have conducted a total of eight trainings; three in English, four in Spanish and one in Hmong. There has been a total of 189 individuals that have received FSMA Produce Safety training in their primary language and received their certificates to comply with the FSMA regulations. In addition, they were provided resources to complete a Produce Safety Plan which will establish practices to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. In executing this project for the FSMA Produce Safety training, we were able to reach several socially, economically and/or educationally disadvantaged groups. In Spanish, we trained a total of 98 Hispanic individuals. We were able to partner with a local organization and received permission to conduct a specialized FSMA Produce Safety training in Hmong and reached a total of 23 local Southeast Asian farmers. In English, we trained 68 individuals including 47 Hispanics, 7 African Americans, 2 Southeast Asians, 2 Asian Indian and 10 Caucasian. The individuals trained included farmers, producers and key personnel that are involved with growing, harvesting and processing Specialty Crops in California. We have conducted a total of 14 onsite Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) trainings in Spanish and trained a total of 429 farmworkers. This training helps maintain compliance with the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and establishes practices to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. Trainings were conducted throughout the Central Valley and Northern Valley including Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Merced and San Joaquin Counties. Changes/Problems:College of the Sequoias: Problem: We have had to cancel fourclasses due to low enrollment; to fix this challenge, we intend to utilize more of the Program Income to increase direct marketing efforts to the target audience to grow awareness of these available low-cost trainings. Change: Shortly after our project was approved, Travis Chapin from the University of Florida resigned; our point of contact connection for bringing the "Beyond Basic Produce Food Safety training" was broken. We made efforts to connect with his replacement, Michelle Danyluk, who informed us that Travis left no training materials, PowerPoints or instructions for teaching this training he developed and promised to bring to California through this project. At that point, we made contact with Trevor Suslow, former VP Produce Safety for the Produce Marketing Association. In May 2021, it was agreed that our partner, Central Valley Food Safety Committee would work with Mr. Suslow to bring additional training to our target audience in lieu of the University of Florida's commitment. We would like to request this change to be approved. This change will not affect our budget, as we already had funds set aside for the University of Florida project. It will help us meet our objectives by bringing more food safety training to more people in California's Central Valley. Change: In October 2021, we have reached out to our Point of Contact on this project to request the addition of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) training to the target audience. This change will not affect our budget, as we have had to cancel three trainings so far due to low enrollment; we will simply use those funds to pay for the GMP training. It will help us meet our objectives by bringing more food safety training to more people in California's Central Valley. State Center Community College District (sub awardee): There have not been any major changes/problems in approach. There has been a minor change in that the Produce Safety Classes will continue to be delivered remotely until December 2022 as a result of COVID-19. This change has resulted in higher enrollments and has allowed us to grow training, education, outreach and coordination for farmers in the Central Valley as well as additional counties throughout California. This change applies to PSA classes conducted by College of the Sequoias as well and has been a welcome change. No special or additional reporting requirements are specified in the award Terms and Conditions. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?College of the Sequoias: We reached our target audience by directed marketing through Constant Contact. Each training has its own webpage on our college department's website. Trainings were also posted on the Produce Safety Alliance website, and the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance webpages. Approximately 23% of individuals found the training directly through our website. Other promotional efforts include word-of-mouth, World Ag Expo informational booth and social media. We have partnered with Tulare and Kings County Farm Bureaus, UC Cooperative Extension Food Safety group and Central Valley Food Safety Committee to promote these trainings as well. State Center Community College District (sub awardee): We reached these individuals by targeted marketing through Constant Contact. In addition, we partnered with the Asian Business Resource Center to reach local small farmers that often sell in farmer's markets and specialty stores. Trainings were also posted on the Produce Safety Alliance Website. We found that for the Spanish classes we received multiple referrals from prior participants. As a result, in April, we added a Spanish class in to meet the demand for the Produce Safety to be delivered in Spanish. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?College of the Sequoias: During the next period of activity, we plan to accomplish our goals using many of the same methods used previously, including reaching our target audience through direct marketing, posting on our website, using social media and utilizing partnerships to spread the information about our trainings. Additionally, we plan to use more of the Program Income to increase promotional efforts to our target audience. State Center Community College District (sub awardee): During the next reporting period, the focus will be on initiating and completing Objective 1 the FSMA Produce Safety Inspections. We are in the process of identifying potential qualified produce safety contractor/s to prepare specialty crop producers to be ready for inspections. We anticipate having the contractor/s in place by January 2022. Soon after recruitment of qualifying farms will begin and will continue until the 50 farm inspections are complete. Additionally, we will continue Objective 2, scheduling and conducting Produce Safety Training.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Accomplishments College of the Sequoias: California Department of Food and Agriculture 2018-2019 statistics show that 8 out of the 10 top producing counties in California are in California's Central Valley. Additionally, in 2019, there were 69,900 farms in California, but only 9,117 participants have completed a Produce Safety Grower training. Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requirements have increased and introduced food safety requirements to ensure the protection of the food supply chain. Offering more training through this project helps farmers become more knowledgeable in the FSMA food safety rules. Farmers and food processors often have difficulty sending their employees to training due to the inconvenience and cost of travel. With 8 out of 10 of the top producing California counties located in the Central Valley, we want to bring the benefit of local, convenient training to our local underserved workforce. For our objective #1 and #2: We have collaborated with two local trainers to deliver 13 of these essential trainings. A total of 105 individuals from the target audience have received industry-recognized certificates from the International Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) Alliance, Food Safety Preventative Controls Alliance and the Produce Safety Alliance. These individuals were small farmers and producers, beginning farmers and socially disadvantaged farmers such as disabled Veteran farmers and minority farmers. For objective #3: Out of the 102 individuals who filled out the evaluation form, 70% on average increased their food safety knowledge and the classes received an average of 4.7/5 in overall satisfaction of training from participants. For Objective #4: With over 100 in attendance at our two food safety industry speaker-lunch events, participants rated the events overall at 4.8/5, and the speakers at a 4.8/5. One participant commented that Bob Whitaker was "one of the best food safety talks I have ever heard." Another commented on the Veronica Ramos presentation that despite having attended two HACCP trainings in the past, they still learned something new with Veronica's presentation. Accomplishments State Center Community College District (sub awardee): According to the California Department of Public Health, foodborne illness has seen a minimal decline since Produce Safety Rule mandated produce safety training for farming operations. For the target audience, the most common cause of foodborne illness can be traced to post-harvesting practices of farm workers. This collaborative project is enabling small and mid-sized farms, beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, small processors, and small fresh fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers to enhance their competitiveness and increase their knowledge of Food Safety by ensuring compliance to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). For objective #2, Produce Safety Grower Training, we have coordinated with a Produce Safety Certified trainer and successfully conducted 8 trainings. A total of 189 farmers, farm labor contractors and key personnel from a diverse population have received their Food Safety Certifications from the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO). The trained individuals were from small and mid-sized farms, beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, small processors, small fresh fruit and vegetable merchants and farm labor contractors and supervisors. Out of the 189 individuals that attended training, 131 completed the course evaluation. Only 25% of the participants had a prior training in Good Agricultural products (GAP) and 72% indicated that they had no prior training. At the completion of the course, the evaluations indicate that approximately 90% of the participant's knowledge increased in the following areas that affect produce safety: Produce safety requirements in the FSMA Produce Safety Rule (93%) Worker health, hygiene, and worker training requirements (90%) Soil amendment requirements (93%) Wildlife, domesticated animals and land use requirements (99%) Production water requirements (98%) Postharvest water requirements (94%) Postharvest handling and sanitation requirements (94%) Developing a food safety plan (89%) In addition, 94% of the participants indicated that they felt that the information provided in the curriculum materials was sufficient to helping guide them into implementing the FSMA requirements. For objective #3, onsite GAP training, we secured a trainer to train fieldworkers onsite in Spanish. The training curriculum was developed a total of 14 trainings were coordinated and facilitated and a total of 429 fieldworkers received training in the San Joaquin Valley region. Each participant received and signed a training sheet with the key points on produce safety and sanitation in the field.
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