Food safety course educates fruit, vegetable growers

AMES — Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering a fruit and vegetable production safety course at Reiman Gardens this spring and summer.

The same afternoon course will be offered at Reiman Gardens in Ames April 12, May 10, June 14, July 19 and Aug. 9, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. The course is complimentary with admission to Reiman Gardens, and registration is not required.

Fruit and vegetable production can pose potential public health hazards if contaminated with disease-causing microorganisms. Understanding these risks is essential to ensuring produce is safe for consumption, from farm to table.

Course topics include identifying sources of microbiological contamination, safely harvesting and handling fruits and vegetables and understanding actions to mitigate consumer safety hazards.

“The course is designed to be easily understood by beginning gardeners while offering enough details to benefit experienced commercial growers,” said Andre Salazar, extension education specialist in food safety with ISU Extension and Outreach.

This collaboration with Reiman Gardens equips participants with the knowledge to provide safe produce to their families and communities.

For more information, contact ISU Extension and Outreach Safe Produce program at Iowafsma@iastate.edu or 515-294-2552 or Reiman Gardens at reimangardens@iastate.edu or 515-294-2710.

This event is sponsored by the ISU Extension and Outreach Safe Produce program and Reiman Gardens.

The Safe Produce program provides science-based research knowledge in food safety and good agricultural practices to educate and assist people with standards for growing, harvesting, packing and holding fruits and vegetables safe for human consumption.