PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington State University will offer a free workshop on good agricultural and food safety practices for direct marketers of food and agricultural products on Thursday, Feb. 5, in Renton and Monday, Feb. 9, in Puyallup.
“The objective of the workshop is to increase the understanding of critical food safety issues by people who sell agricultural products at roadside stands and farmers markets,” said Richard Dougherty, WSU food science specialist.
Good agricultural practices, known as GAPs, are on-the- farm practices that affect safety of raw products intended to be sold without further processing, Dougherty said. GAPs include practices that address water quality, worker sanitation and proper use of animal manures.
The February 5 workshop in Renton is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m in Suite 120 of the WSU King County Extension office, 919 S. W. Grady Way. The February 9 workshop in Puyallup is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Allmendinger Center at the WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center, 7612 Pioneer Way E..
An additional workshop will be held Feb. 6 in Bremerton.
Contact Dougherty at (509) 335-0972 or dougherty@wsu.edu for more information on the program. Contact Extension Meeting Management and Program Support at (509) 335-2811or emmps@wsu.edu for information on arrangements.
The workshop is sponsored by the Small Farm Direct Marketing Program of the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
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