Farm produce safety programs being offered to military veterans in Texas
AgriLife Extension giving vets programs this summer in Weslaco, Garland, Rosenberg
COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will present three Produce Food Safety Training for Military Veterans programs in Texas this summer.
The free program is open to military veterans and is presented through a collaboration of AgriLife Extension’s AgrAbility program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the College of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Georgia. Lunch is included.
Each program will be from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its respective location. Dates and locations for the summer programs are:
— Weslaco, July 19, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 2401 East Business Highway 83.
— Garland, Aug. 2, AgriLife Extension office for Dallas County, 715 Rowlett Road.
— Rosenberg, Aug. 23, AgriLife Extension office for Fort Bend County, 1402 Band Rd., Suite 100.
“Many military veterans are continuing their service to our country by providing high-quality food to their communities” said Makenzie McLaurin Thomas, AgriLife Extension family and community health program coordinator, College Station. “We are happy to present them with this no-cost training opportunity to enhance their understanding of produce safety.”
Thomas said the one-day, hands-on training allows attendees to learn the rules, regulations and safe practices for handling produce and bringing it to market.
“These regulations can be overwhelming to find, learn and put into practice,” she said. “This training will break them down and teach producers how to integrate produce safety into their operation.”
Attendees receive a complimentary produce safety toolkit, which includes a digital food thermometer.
They also learn about good agricultural practices and the Food Safety Modernization Act, Thomas said.
“Attendees will also participate in a mock farmers market booth inspection and will be able to network with other veterans involved in agriculture,” she added.
For more information and to register, go to https://txagrability.tamu.edu/food-safety.
Writer: Paul Schattenberg, 210-859-5752, [email protected]
Contact: Makenzie McLaurin Thomas, 979-862-1913, [email protected]
