Workshops

Extension Food Science and Technology (EFST) provides the public and the food industry with workshops and on-site training programs. Food safety trainings enable businesses to develop and implement a food safety or HACCP plan tailored to their operation, which minimizes the risk of contamination of their food product by human pathogens.

Workshop Calendar

Whether you’ve been brewing for years or are just getting started, this multi-day workshop will immerse you into the local brew scene while you learn: creating impact on a small budgets, building an inclusive taproom community, expanding beyond brewing beer, and more! Participants will tour area breweries and experience community impact first-hand. The course will be a mix of hands-on lectures, tours, and panel discussions. This workshop is held in partnership with Athentic Brewing, Creature Comforts, Normaltown Brewing Co., South Main Brewing, Akademia Brewing, Terrapin Brewing, and more.

Oct 16

10/16 8:00AM - 10/18 5:00PM Brewing Success in the Craft Beer Industry Food Science, ATHENS, GA

The UGA Food Product Innovation and Commercialization Center is hosting a ServSafe® Food Protection Manager training for those looking to get certified. Who may need a Food Protection Manager Certification? Entrepreneurs starting a food business Retail food establishment owners and/or managers as required by GDA Supervisors of small food businesses working out of shared kitchens Restaurant owners, managers, and head chefs Cost: $175 Refreshments and Lunch are included in the cost. Please register by October 18!

Oct 22

8:00AM - 6:00PM ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Training & Certification UGA Griffin Campus, Student Learning Center, Room 115, Griffin, GA

The Better Process Control School (BPCS) offers instruction which fulfills the FDA and USDA Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements to certify supervisors of acidification, thermal processing, and container closure evaluation operations during the canning of acidified foods. • December 10-13th (8 am - 5 pm); Acidified Track mandatory for workshop participation- cost: $500.00 This course is subject to cancellation if minimum attendance is not met. The workshop will take place at FoodPIC at 405 Cowart Street, Griffin, GA 30223. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Registration closes November 29th at 4 pm EST. Please contact Annie Lynn Carter at annie.carter1@uga.edu with any questions or concerns.Cancellation PolicyFor cancellations, please email efs@uga.edu. Cancellations made a week or less before the event will not be refunded. Cancellations made prior to a week before the workshop will be issued a full refund. All workshops and courses are subject to cancellation by Extension Food Science and Technology. In this case, full refunds will be issued to all who have paid registration fees. Neither The University of Georgia nor Extension Food Science and Technology are required to reimburse any expenses made by the attendee prior to cancellation except for the registration fee.

Dec 10

12/10 8:00AM - 12/13 5:00PM Better Process Control School FoodPIC, Griffin

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Get hands-on guidance from University of Georgia Extension Food Science and Technology experts.

Contact Us

If you do not see the workshop you need, please email efs@uga.edu to make a request!

Extension Food Science and Technology Workshops

Better Process Control School

The Better Process Control School offers instruction that fulfills the FDA and USDA Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements to certify supervisors of acidification, thermal processing, and container closure evaluation operations during the canning of low-acid or acidified foods. UGA EFST offers this course in-person and online. To attend an in-person session, please see the available courses above in our Workshop Calendar.

Online Better Process Control School (BPCS) for Acidified Foods

This Online Better Process Control School for Acidified Foods is taught through a series of videos and teaches only the acidified portion of the Better Process Control School. It is geared specifically for acidified foods and is specific to the container you are using to package your product in. You will choose the containers that you are using and this will determine the chapters you need to be tested on. Once the course has been purchased, a GMA Canned Foods book will be sent to the mailing address you have provided. You will be emailed a link for the course along with a unique username and password that will allow you to enter your online "classroom." You will have 3 months to complete the course before your online "classroom" closes.

Bridging the GAPS: Approaches for Treating Preharvest Agricultural Water On-Farm

Fruit and vegetable growers are continually assessing their operations to determine where they can limit risk and increase productivity. As a result, many have expressed interest in learning more about how on-farm preharvest water treatment systems work and how they may fit within their current setup. Join this virtual training to learn about different approaches to treating water on-farm; how to implement these systems to meet requirements of the Produce Safety Rule; and how to verify that the system is operating as intended.

Farm Food Safety Trainings & Workshops

If you're a fruit, vegetable, or nut grower in Georgia and unsure of where to find food safety resources for regulatory, buyer, or third-party audit requirements, UGA Extension can help. Our Food Science and Technology specialists offer trainings and on-sight farm, packinghouse, or facility visits throughout the state. If you don't see a workshop or service listed that you think your farm needs, let us know!

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) for Produce Packinghouses

Upcoming Training: September 30th - October 3rd (via Zoom)

If your auditor or buyer requires a HACCP-trained individual on your operation, we can help you out. Our food safety specialists are lead trainers recognized by the International HACCP Alliance, and we partner with other universities throughout the southeast to ensure our attendees get the benefit of instructors with diverse commodity experiences. All attendees of our two-day course will have the knowledge necessary to build and maintain a HACCP program for a produce packinghouse.

For additional courses that meet seafood HACCP training requirements, please visit the UGA Marine Extension website.

On-Site Technical Support and Training

In-Plant HACCP Certification Programs

This is a service to assist with problems on deficiencies, sanitation problems, and product quality standards. A HACCP training workshop may be provided for quality assurance and supervisory personnel for a nominal fee.

In-Plant Food Safety or Sanitation Audit and Training

This technical support, for a nominal fee, is designed to provide insight and evaluation for plant efficiency improvements, regulatory compliance, and product safety. This may be followed by a comprehensive workshop for plant management and supervisors to develop further food safety measures.

Please contact our office at 706-542-2574 or efs@uga.edu for more details and to discuss how we can help your business!

Preventive Controls for Human Food

Have you been told you need a PCQI, but you aren't sure what that means? The acronym stands for "Preventive Controls Qualified Individual", and food manufacturers covered by the Preventive Controls for Human Food Rule are required to employ or contract with at least one such individual. A PCQI is responsible for developing a processor's food safety plan and ensuring all aspects of the plan are properly implemented. This 2.5-day course uses the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance curriculum. UGA extension offers generic Preventive Controls training for all segments of the food industry, as well as specific trainings for the fresh-cut and nut industries.

Produce Safety Alliance Grower Trainings (GDA with UGA Extension)

Growers of fresh produce commodities that are frequently consumed raw, who also generate more than $25,000 annually in produce sales (adjusted for inflation; three-year average) may have to comply with the FDA's Produce Safety Rule. Every farm covered by the Produce Safety Rule must have one person who has received food safety training, and the PSA Grower Training curriculum is currently the only approved course. UGA specialists work with the Georgia Department of Agriculture to offer these courses throughout the state. If you're interested in learning more about upcoming courses, visit the GDA's Farm Safety Program website for locations and dates.

Water Systems Workshop

Upcoming Events: TBD

The Water Systems Workshop aims to promote greater understanding of water systems, water assessments, including FDA's proposed Water Builder Tool, and water distribution equipment and connections. This workshop is designed to be interactive using presentations that encourage discussions, scenario-based small group breakouts, and hands-on activities. The workshop is structured to accommodate regional considerations within the content. Attendees will gain the knowledge and skills to evaluate their water systems for risk factors that may affect the safety of fresh produce for human consumption.

This work is done in partnership with the FDA, The Georgia Department of Agriculture, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, The Alabama Cooperative Extension, Georgia Cooperative Extension, Auburn University, and the University of Georgia.