Completed Project Report


Food Safety On the Farm - Helping Large and Small Producers Understand the Risks and Develop on Farm Risk Management Strategies

  • Award Amount: $8,466
  • Regional Center: Northeast Extension Risk Management Education Center
  • Grant Program: 2009 Unrestricted Risk Management Education
  • Project Director: Maria Pippidis
  • Email: pippidis@udel.edu
  • Organization: New Caslte County Cooperative Extension

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Project Overview

Targeting new and existing producers in Delaware, 311 growers in Delaware attended a 2-part voluntary GAP/GHP certification training. Level 1 consisted of the rationale behind food safety strategies, strategies for implementing GAPs and GHPs in small farm operations, what an audit would look like and how to implement GAP/GHP strategies in small farm and direct marketing operations (on farm and farmers markets). Level 2 built on Level 1 but focused on wholesale and larger operations. The training also included information about on farm worker training, audits, and developing a food safety plan for the operation. One hundered- fifty six (156) participants completed the training and received a Delaware Department of Agriculture Voluntary GAP/GHP certificate.

Sixteen training sessions were held throughout the state. Extension published newspaper/letter articles and conducted on farm training for 93 farm workers, 3 mock audits and 4 on farm food safety tours.

A mailed six-month post program and final program survey were used to evaluate the project and were sent to 156 participants that attended the level 1/2 trainings. Results showed that 90% of respondents reported being better able to manage risks as they relate to farm food safety and 95% better understand their role in preventing food borne illness. Over 430 farm workers were trained by operators, 23 mock audits were conducted by operators/ consultants and 18% completed a farm safety plan.

Number of Participants: 404

Outcomes

Project Steps

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

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EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

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DELIVERY AREA

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