BUSINESS

DOVER - Agricultural entrepreneurs who want to produce certain foods in their on-farm kitchens can receive food safety training and become certified under Delaware law at an upcoming workshop jointly sponsored by the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension and the Delaware Department of Agriculture.

The eight-hour "Food Safety for Entrepreneurs" program presented by Dr. Sue Snider of the University of Delaware will take place March 25, at the Delaware Department of Agriculture, 2320 S. DuPont Highway, Dover. The class will be 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Participants should arrive by 7:45 a.m. for registration and bring a bagged lunch.

Register by March 17 by contacting Debra Whitmore at debra.whitmore@state.de.us or 302-698-4540.

Participants will learn how to identify potentially hazardous and non-potentially hazardous foods; understand foodborne pathogens and ways to control them; reduce the risk of foodborne illness; evaluate their plan for controlling potential microbial problems; and understand state regulations on farm-produced, non-potentially hazardous food items.

Non-potentially hazardous items include such things as baked breads, cakes, muffins, cookies, non-chocolate candy, jellies, jams, preserves, marmalades, fruit butters, fruit pies, herbs in vinegar, honey and herb mixtures, dried fruit and vegetables, spices or herbs, maple syrup, sorghum, popcorn, caramel corn, peanut brittle and roasted nuts.

Delaware to offer produce safety training

DOVER - Fruit and vegetable growers who want to learn about produce safety, Good Agricultural Practices, developing food safety plans and the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule are encouraged to attend several upcoming workshops.

On March 16 and 17, the "Delaware FSMA Produce Safety Alliance Training, Produce Food Safety Updates, and Food Safety Plan Writing Workshop" will be held at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington. The workshop will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Lunch will be provided and registration is free, courtesy of the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant and the Delaware Department of Agriculture.

Register by contacting Karen Adams at adams@udel.edu or 856-7303.