By Andi Anderson
Contamination in wash and pack areas is a major cause of foodborne illness outbreaks in fresh produce. To help reduce these risks, the University of Illinois Extension is hosting a free educational webinar titled “Food Safety in Fresh Produce — Wash and Pack Areas.”
This expert-led session is designed to help both small and large farm operators learn simple and effective methods to protect harvested fruits and vegetables.
The event focuses on handling practices after harvest, where poor sanitation can turn safe produce into a serious health hazard.
Food safety educator Lillian Nabwiire emphasizes the importance of this topic, especially during the busy harvest season. “Before we wrap up this season, let’s pause and reflect on one of the key reasons we engage in growing fruits and vegetables, which is to provide nutritious and safe food to our communities,” she says. “In this webinar, we will focus on protecting fresh fruits and vegetables from contamination after harvest.”
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Time: 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
This one-hour webinar is free, but participants must register in advance. The registration deadline is Wednesday, September 3, at 5 p.m. Registered attendees will receive an email with the event link a few days before the webinar.
To register, visit: go.illinois.edu/FoodSafetyWebinar.
Anyone needing accommodation to participate is encouraged to contact Samantha McLain at slangley@illinois.edu as early as possible to ensure accessibility.
This is a valuable opportunity for produce growers to learn and apply food safety practices that protect consumers and strengthen trust in locally grown food.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-shotbydave
Categories: Illinois, Education