Southern Regional Center for Food Safety Training, Outreach and Lead Regional Coordination Center

The overall goal of this Regional Center proposal is to continue to build a collaborative infrastructure in the Southern US to support Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) compliant training, education, extension, and outreach. The proposed Southern Center includes land-grant institutions and partners in AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, PR, SC, TN, TX, and VA. It will lead, manage and coordinate regional assistance programs targeted at owners and operators of small and medium-sized farms, beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, small food processors, and others affected by FSMA requirements. The SC will leverage established partnerships with stakeholder groups including state and local regulators, community-based and non-governmental organizations to maximize training effectiveness and delivery opportunities. Goals will be accomplished through the following specific objectives:Develop and offer continuing educational opportunities to a cadre of PSA trainers and lead trainers and FSPCA Lead Instructors within the Southern US.Develop and share best practices approaches for food safety training, ensuring consistency with FSMA rules.Coordinate regional communication.Evaluate the impact of the SC education and training through ongoing program assessments.Programs will focus on helping audiences understand and interpret FSMA regulations and implement systems to meet requirements across the respective environments, agricultural production and processing systems in the Southern US.UF will serve as the lead institution for the four Regional Centers (Southern, Northeast, North Central and Western), It will coordinate national food safety programs as well as facilitate communication and information sharing between the centers.