Washington, DC The United Fresh Produce Associations popular Produce Inspection Training Program is back for four more courses, including one installment in 2008 and three in 2009. These hands-on training sessions are designed to help produce industry receivers, handlers, buyers, shippers and sellers understand the fundamentals of the produce inspection process.

Developed by the United Fresh Research & Education Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Marketing Service (USDA-AMS), the Produce Inspection Training Program offers a comprehensive overview of USDA inspection procedures and standards through lab training courses, classroom lectures and discussion sessions with USDA trainers.

All seminars are taught by expert USDA personnel and held at the USDA Fresh Products Branch National Inspectors Training and Development Center in Fredericksburg, Va.

Upcoming courses will be held November 3-7, 2008 and January 26-30, June 1-5 and September 21-25, 2009. Industry professionals who are looking to gain a better understanding of this intricate process can sign up now.

The Produce Inspection Training Program is divided into two specialized courses: Introductory Produce Inspection and Advanced Produce Inspection. The two-day introductory course is a prerequisite of the advanced course and focuses on inspection fundamentals, general market principles, PACA and an introduction to the FV 300 Inspection Certificate.

The three-day advanced course is an intense training program focusing on the different types of inspections (quality, condition, size, etc.,) sampling procedures, marketing orders and import requirements, advanced FV 300 training and commodity-specific instruction tailored to meet participants preferences indicated in a pre-program survey. Each advanced course will include the five most commonly requested commodities: Grapes, Lettuces, Potatoes, Strawberries, and Tomatoes. In addition to these five, each course will be customized with up to 10 additional commodities based on the attendees’ most common preferences.

"My people at the Kroger distribution center make decisions on product shipping to over 265 stores, so the procurement staff needs quality training. This course provides them a solid review of the inspection process and principles." - Bob Ashcraft, Distribution Quality Assurance Manager, The Kroger Co. and 2007 program participant

Since its inception in 2007, more than 540 industry professionals have participated in the program, with attendees consistently giving the course high marks in program evaluations.

The following course options are available:

Attendees may register for the training seminars online, or by downloading the registration form. For more information, contact Julie Jacocks, Education Manager, at (202) 303-3400 ext 405. Class size is limited and on a first-come, first-served registration basis. For United Fresh members, the registration fee for the introductory course is $875; the advanced course is $1195. If both courses are taken together, members may register at the discounted rate of $1875. For non-members, the prices are $1075, 1395 and $2275, respectively. Seminar registration fees include training seminars and all course materials.

Past Inspection Program Company Participants: