MSU Extension Agrifood Safety

Why Everyone Should Receive Training

Landen Tetil & Allissa Conley, Michigan Produce Safety Technicians

Food safety culture can be described as the combination of attitudes, values, and beliefs about produce safety and is the result of the time and commitment put in by the farm as a whole. It can also be ever-changing and is dependent on the farm’s leadership to set the standard of food safety culture for the rest of the team. How much time and effort is put into training and enforcing food safety policies for all farm workers has a huge impact on a farm’s food safety culture.

A good worker training program is a big step to success in a food safety culture. Worker training is a time and money commitment, but it is also an investment in the farm itself and adds many benefits to creating a successful food safety culture. The Produce Safety Rule states that workers on the farm must be trained, but who do you think of when you think of farm workers? The instant thought may be paid workers, but workers can also look like friends, family, volunteers, student interns, and anyone else handling produce on the farm. These non-traditional workers are still considered workers and are not exempt from receiving training. Having family and friends trained also sets a good example for food safety expectations for other workers, including paid and unpaid, and reinforces a uniform food safety culture.

By having everyone on-farm know, recognize, and understand food safety best practices, you are greatly reducing your risk of spreading foodborne illness to those who buy your produce. This also offers the peace of mind of knowing that everyone in your farm organization is on the same page and cares deeply about creating the safest food environment. The key components of a positive food safety culture include:

• Commitment from the farm owners, supervisors, and managers
• Good communication among all farm workers and managers
• A worker training program that fits the farm
• Continued monitoring and improvement of the worker training

Getting to and keeping a positive food safety culture doesn’t need to be a daunting task. There are many different resources that can be used to train everyone on-farm. The following resources are some of our favorites in the Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety program.

Training Courses:

Farm owners and supervisors can attend an existing training course to prepare them to train other workers on the farm.

• Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training, a one-day course that is recognized by the FDA as a way to satisfy the training requirement of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.
• Online Produce Safety Supervisor Training, a self-paced, four-week course that is designed as an annual supervisor training refresher.

Training Resources for Farm Owners/Supervisors:

Use these resources to guide and inform your worker training program.

• Worker Training Policies template by Michigan On-Farm Produce Safety, word document available for download here under “resources for farms.”
• Video Series: “Essentials of Food Safety for Farmworkers” by Cornell Vegetable Program
• Guide: “Hosting an Interactive, Hands-On Produce Safety Training” by Alabama Cooperative Extension

Training Supplements:

Add these ready-to-use  resources to your farm’s worker training program. Using a variety of training techniques, including videos, hands-on learning, and text reminders will optimize your workers’ learning.

• Texting Service: Worker training text reminders through Michigan State University Extension
• Video: “Food Safety Begins on the Farm” by Produce Safety Alliance
• Video: “Proper Handwashing” by Produce Safety Alliance
• Video: “Worker Training Basics” by Michigan State University Extension
• Slideshow Presentation: “Training Guides for Workers” by NCR FSMA

Remember, food safety does not exist in isolation. Food safety policies can - and should - be incorporated into the everyday activities on the farm. Food safety training can also be incorporated into a comprehensive farm training, mixed in with other farm policies, tasks, and duties associated with the job. To learn more or to request one-on-one assistance from a Michigan Produce Safety Technician, visit miofps.org.