Program Overview

Program Overview

The Farmers Market Food Safety online course is designed to teach vendors and producers about food safety and preventing foodborne illness. The course covers the basics of food safety and sanitation, from harvest to sale, and includes topics such as equipping food-safe facilities, sourcing and purchasing ingredients, product handling and preparation, sales and service at the farmers' market, and record keeping, traceability, and liability.

Course Details

• The course is available online and can be completed at the learner's own pace.
• The course includes 7 sections and takes approximately 4 hours to complete.
• The course is available in English and offers a certificate of completion.
• The course fee is $39.00.

Target Audience

• Existing farmers' market vendors
• Those interested in becoming a vendor

Course Objectives

• Evaluate potential risks related to food safety at farmers' markets from harvest through sale of the food product
• Equip and operate food-safe facilities
• Source and purchase ingredients
• Handle and prepare food properly
• Identify on-site food safety procedures
• Know what is needed for proper record keeping, and food or ingredient traceability
• Recognize potential liability issues

Course Instructor

• Martin Bucknavage, Senior Food Safety Extension Associate and Team Lead, Industrial Food Safety and Quality

Additional Resources

• Farmers Market Tips Bookmark
• Farmers Market Storage Postcard
• Farmers Market Food Safety Resource Guide
• ServSafe®
• Cooking for Crowds: A Volunteer's Guide to Safe Food Handling
• Food Safety Posters
• Good Sanitary Practices Posters
• Retail Farm Market School
• Farm Biosecurity Best Practices for Contractors, Vendors, and Visitors