Food Safety has always been a primary focus of commercial fruit and vegetable producers.  One of the biggest concerns of extension agents when working with Farmers Market members is the consideration that what is being produced is safe and healthy for consumers.  One method to help ensure that this happens is by offering the Produce Best Practices Training (PBPT).  PBPT is a training developed by the UK Cooperative Extension Service, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, and the Food Systems Innovation Center.  Completion of the training program allows producers to receive a Sampling Certificate through the KDA to allow them to offer sampling of raw fruits and vegetables at KDA Farmers Markets and Farm Bureau Roadside Stands.

Extension Agents attended a train-the-trainer program and then were charged to go back to their county and offer the training to farmer’s market members.  The training consists of 7 modules: food safety and food microbiology, use of manure on ground used for vegetable production, preventing contamination from water and wildlife, worker hygiene and health, equipment sanitation and post-harvest handling, farm food safety plan and records and traceability, and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).  

Agents in the central region of Kentucky coordinated several PBPT meetings to meet food safety training requirements.  Numerous commercial producers attended these programs. Specifically, over 65 acres of commercial fruit and vegetable production was represented at the Bourbon county training.   

After attending the training, over 85 % of survey participants indicated that they felt very confident about addressing and/or reducing the biggest food safety risks to fresh produce on their own farm.  20 % of survey participants indicated that they felt somewhat confident.  In general, all of those participating in the local bourbon county training had gained knowledge that they felt would make their farm operations and products safer