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TABLE 3. Materials developed to meet trainer needs (cont.)
Trainer need

Addressed by PSA

Other resources currently being developed
Teaching
examples, clicker
based discussion
questions, case
studies

Teaching examples and case studies have been developed as part of a PSA Advanced Trainer curriculum. The
materials are not publicly available at this time, but further development of the PSA Advanced Trainer Course is
a focus of the PSA for 2019 and 2020.

Farm food safety
plan template

A Farm Food Safety Plan template including both FSMA PSR requirements and USDA harmonized GAP
requirements was released in 2019 in collaboration with the National Good Agricultural Practices Program.
The PSA has collaborated with the National Farmers Union, Local Food Safety Collaborative on the
development of an example food safety plan that covers only the requirements of the FSMA PSR.

Simplified or low
literacy training
materials

Simplified training materials, such as photo-based activities, have been developed for certain modules.
Additional activities are being developed by produce safety educators.

Online course

An online PSA Grower Training Course launched in April 2020. The course is instructor led and includes the
PSA standardized curriculum slides and opportunities for further engagement.

Worker training
materials

The National Good Agricultural Practices Program, in conjunction with the PSA, is producing a worker
training video that will include PSR requirements.

Exemptions from
the PSR and
compliance dates

A FSMA PSR exemptions and exclusions PowerPoint presentation was developed when PSA Grower Training
evaluations revealed that growers were unsure of whether they were subject to the PSR. A "Clarification of
Compliance Dates" chart was developed in collaboration with the Southern Center for Food Safety Training,
Outreach, and Technical Assistance to assist both PSA trainers and growers in keeping track of compliance
dates for the PSR.

Grower Training Courses that provided opportunities to
mentor new PSA Trainers.
This collaborative network was extended with the
creation of a public directory of PSA Trainers and Lead
Trainers (13).
Participants requested additional assistance from the
PSA 39% of the time, but this percentage fell significantly
over time (P = 0.003). Estimated marginal means analysis
predicted that by 24 April 2017, only 29% of participants
requested additional assistance through the evaluation.
Participants requested that additional materials be
referenced 35% of the time, and this percentage also fell
significantly over time (P = 0.007). Estimated marginal
means analysis predicted that by 24 April 2017, 26% of
participants indicated that additional materials should
be referenced. The request for additional materials has
decreased over time probably because resources are
being consistently highlighted and developed. Specific to
development of additional resources, the FSMA Regional
Centers and other groups such as the Local Food Safety

Collaborative and the Native American Tribal Center for
Food Safety Outreach, Education, Training and Technical
Assistance have responded to cultural, regional, and
commodity-specific educational needs. Many of these
resources, including the materials developed by the PSA,
are now publicly available on a national database hosted
by the Northeast Center to Advance Food Safety (16).
Working collaboratively has allowed the nationwide
network of trainers and educators to access new resources
and avoid duplication of efforts while prioritizing unique
needs within their regions.
A detailed review of 246 comments left by participants
from the first six courses in Arizona, California, Florida,
Illinois, New York, and Washington was conducted to help
identify key resource needs to be addressed by the PSA.
The data revealed that participants have a strong desire
for ongoing program development support and technical
assistance from the PSA. The PSA has conducted an
ongoing review of comments at the conclusion of each PSA
Train-the-Trainer Course and has begun developing or

November/December Food Protection Trends

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Food Protection Trends - November/December 2020

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