Virtual Grower Training Initiative – Latin America

The Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Grower Training (GT) program meets the FDA requirements of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule for training exporters of fresh produce to the USA. Virtual delivery of the training became a temporary option due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By partnering with FDA and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA), JIFSAN jointly developed the Virtual Grower Training Initiative (VGTI) for Latin American countries in June 2020. JIFSAN held four virtual programs for growers in Mexico and another four programs in Honduras totaling 109 participants completing the training. To increase training capacity in Latin America, Dr. Juan L. Siva mentored four trainers in each country to ready them for PSA Lead Trainer status. The success of the program and the extension of the temporary virtual training option is providing JIFSAN the opportunity to conduct another four programs each in Mexico and Honduras from October and December. In addition, four additional trainers will be coached to become certified PSA Lead Trainers, further increasing training capacity building in Latin America.