Chapter 16 - The Impact of Food Safety Training on the Adoption of Good Agricultural Practices on Farms

Abstract

Consumer demand for organic produce has been growing over the past decade, leading to a significant increase in the amount of organic produce grown in the United States. Organic produce is still subject to food safety risks, so all growers should understand the importance of produce safety and how to implement risk reduction practices such as Good Agricultural Practices on their farms. Based on National Organic Program requirements that often include restrictions on certain inputs and the small size of most organic farms, organic growers face unique challenges when adopting these risk reduction practices. Food safety educators should address these specific challenges, as well as provide practical production-based solutions, when developing food safety training programs in an effort to effect change. The most effective food safety training programs address the overlap between production goals and food safety goals while incorporating a technical assistance component to the in-person training.