Young Farmer Food Safety Education Project: Developing and Implementing Food Safety Outreach Activities for WV High School Horticulture Instructors as Supplement to the Farm-to-School Program

This community outreach project aims to develop a systematic food safety training program and standardized operating procedures for high school horticulture program instructors involved in the farm-to-school (FTS) program and those selling produce to their local communities.This study, along with several other studies indicate that the high prevalence of bacteria on fresh produce warrants food safety precautions be taken for every vendor procuring produce, especially those providing food for children in the education system; therefore, the objectives of this project are: 1) Conduct a survey of WV horticulture program instructors on knowledge of microbial contamination on produce, FSMA produce safety, and GAPs; 2) Review and develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure accurate standardized processes amongst high school horticulture programs; 3) Curriculum and schedule development for on-site workshops and the remote "train the trainer" modules for high school horticulture instructors.