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The Food Innovation Team (FIT) was created as a subcommittee of the Minnesota Food Safety and Defense Task Force to help answer questions and assist food business owners in navigating Minnesota’s food licensing and regulatory environment.  Most food business owners receive a license to do business from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), or their delegated agencies with relative ease. However, some food business owners may encounter challenges in licensing due to a number of factors that may not easily be resolved without assistance. When this happens food business owners are encouraged to work with the FIT to help answer their questions and create a path forward for their licensing needs. FIT meetings are held every other month and are open to anyone interested.

Due to precautions against the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), and in conformance with Minnesota Statues Section 13D.021, upcoming meetings of the FIT have been scheduled and will be changed from in-person meetings to video-conference meetings with a phone-in option.

Join the January 18th meeting using Microsoft Teams

Or you can call in via audio conference (sorry, this is not a toll-free line) by calling:
+1-651-395-7448

Access code: 358 081 862#

Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event please contact Natasha Hedin at 612-247-5888 or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 711 as soon as possible.

This training is being offered remotely, via Zoom. In order to participate, individuals must have a web-cam, two-way audio (speakers & microphone), reliable internet, and will be required to have the web-cam on during the full course of the training (8:45am - 5:00pm). This is to verify participants' presence and participation.

Who should attend?

This one-day training course is for produce growers. If your farm is not excluded or exempt from the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, at least one responsible party from your farm must complete a training that uses FDA-recognized curriculum or equivalent. This course meets those requirements. All produce growers interested in learning about produce safety, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and the FSMA Produce Safety Rule are welcome to attend. Contact the MDA Produce Safety Program to learn if your farm is covered by the rule.

What to Expect at the FSMA Produce Safety Rule Training Course

The training will consist of both practical guidance for implementing Good Agricultural Practices as well as the requirements of FSMA Produce Safety Rule. Key Topics:

• Microorganisms relevant to produce safety and where they may be on the farm
• Practices that reduce risks, and practical methods to implement these practices on the farm
• Parts of the farm food safety plan and how to begin writing one
• Requirements of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and information to help you meet them
• Your questions on the rule and how it is being implemented in Minnesota

Registration

Registration includes the training materials (mailed to you in advance) and a Certificate of Course Attendance. Participation for the entire training is required to receive the certificate. Check-in opens at 8:45am, training will begin at 9:00am and end at 5:00pm. Class sizes are limited and on a first-come, first serve basis. For mailing purposes, we are only accepting registrations for attendees within the continental US.

This training is being offered remotely, via Zoom. This course will be held over two days - 8:45am -1:00pm on 3/16 and 3/17/2022. 

In order to participate, individuals must have a web-cam, two-way audio (speakers & microphone), reliable internet, and will be required to have the web-cam on during the full duration of the training. This is to verify participants' presence and participation.

Who should attend?

This course is for produce growers. If your farm is not excluded or exempt from the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, at least one responsible party from your farm must complete a training that uses FDA-recognized curriculum or equivalent. This course meets those requirements. All produce growers interested in learning about produce safety, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and the FSMA Produce Safety Rule are welcome to attend. Contact the MDA Produce Safety Program to learn if your farm is covered by the rule.

What to Expect

The training will consist of practical guidance for implementing Good Agricultural Practices as well as the requirements of FSMA Produce Safety Rule. Key topics:

• Microorganisms relevant to produce safety and where they may be on the farm
• Practices that reduce risks, and practical methods to implement these practices on the farm
• Parts of the farm food safety plan and how to begin writing one
• Requirements of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and how to meet them
• Your questions on the rule and how it is being implemented in Minnesota

Registration

Registration includes the training materials (mailed in advance) and a Certificate of Course Attendance. Participation for the entire training is required to receive the certificate. Check-in opens at 8:30am, training will begin at 8:45am and end at 1:00pm each day. Class sizes are limited and on a first-come, first serve basis. For mailing purposes, we can only accept registrations for attendees within continental US.

Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event please contact the Produce Safety Program through the contact info below or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 711 as soon as possible.

Who should attend?

This one-day training course is for produce growers. If your farm is not excluded or exempt from the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, at least one responsible party from your farm must complete a training that uses FDA-recognized curriculum or equivalent. This course meets those requirements. All produce growers interested in learning about produce safety, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and the FSMA Produce Safety Rule are welcome to attend. Contact the MDA Produce Safety Program to learn if your farm is covered by the rule. 

What to Expect at the FSMA Produce Safety Rule Training Course?

The training will consist of both practical guidance for implementing Good Agricultural Practices as well as the requirements of FSMA Produce Safety Rule. Key Topics:

• Microorganisims relevant to produce safety and where they may be on the farm
• Practices that reduce risks, and practical methods to implement these practices on the farm
• Parts of the farm food safety plan and how to begin writing one
• Requirements of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and how to meet them
• Your questions on the rule and how it is being implemented in Minnesota

Registration

Registration includes the training materials, lunch, refreshments, and a Certificate of Course Attendance. Participation for the entire training is required to receive the certificate. Check-in opens at 8:30am, training will begin at 9:00am and end at 5:00pm. Class sizes are limited and on a first-come, first serve basis.

Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event please contact the Produce Safety Program through the contact info below or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 711 as soon as possible.

Questions or need more information?

Please contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Produce Safety Program at (651)539-3648 or email ProduceSafety.MDA@state.mn.us

Refunds: Can only be processed up to 21 days prior to the training; tix.com processing fees cannot be refunded.