A Good Agriculture Practices and Good Handling Practices training workshop is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 20, at the S.J. Parker Extension Complex auditorium on the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff campus.
This food safety workshop is designed to help vegetable and fruit producers and packing shed managers prepare for and pass the GAP audit, which is required for GAP certification. Certification is necessary as many local vegetable retailers require vegetable fields or packing sheds to be GAP certified before they will buy the vegetables from producers.
Those completing the training will receive certificates of completion, which may be used in the GAP audits to prove attendance at food safety training.
“The usual cost of a GAP audit is $93 per hour beginning from the time the auditor leaves his station until he returns plus an additional $50 administrative fee,” said Henry English, head of the UAPB Small Farm Program.
Because time is money, farmers should be prepared when the auditor arrives.
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“The UAPB Small Farm Program has a grant to help producers growing southern peas for the Walmart market,” English said.
Farmers who pass their GAP audit will be eligible for certification cost reimbursement not to exceed $1,000.
Training presenters include Jaheon Koo, UAPB food scientist, and members of the UAPB Small Farm staff, who will assist farmers in developing food safety manuals that are required to pass the GAP certification.
The workshop is free, but preregistration is requested to help in workshop planning. Lunch will be provided. To preregister, contact Kellye Luckett at 870-585-7226 or luckettk@uapb.edu. The 1890 Extension Complex is located at the corner of L.A. “Prexy” Davis Drive and Oliver Road.