Overview
The USDA National Food Safety Outreach Program (FSOP) invites you to participate in the 2025 National Project Directors' Meeting. Over the two-day program, the Lead Regional Coordination Center (LRCC) and four regional centers (Southern (SC), North Central (NC), Northeast (NECAFS), and the Western (WC) will host FSOP grant awardees from around the country, both virtually and in person, as they discuss their accomplishments and success stories.
Despite being a hybrid meeting of virtual and in person, we hope that you will benefit from this meeting and enjoy hearing about all the incredible work performed around the country by so many dedicated food safety educators. We hope that you join us!
This work is supported in part by USDA NIFA grant no. 2021-70020-35740 and 2024-70020-42861. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Program Documents
For printer-friendly documents of program information, refer to the following PDFs.
Detailed Agenda
| Day 1 | May 28, 2025 | ||||
| 7:30am | Morning Refreshments | Foyer - 14th Floor Pre-Function Space | ||
| Welcome and USDA-NIFA & FSMA Regional Center Updates | ||||
| Moderator: Keith Schneider | ||||
| Time (ET) | Title | Presenter | Institution | |
| 8:30am | Welcome and Overview of Meeting | Keith Schneider | University of Florida, LRCC | |
| 8:35am | USDA-NIFA Update | USDA Representative | ||
| 8:45am | Southern Center Update | Keith Schneider | ||
| 8:55am | NECAFS Update | Elizabeth Newbold | ||
| 9:05am | NRC Update | Ellen Johnsen | ||
| 9:15am | WRCEFS Update | Sam Kilgore | ||
| Session 1 | ||||
| Moderator: Armitra Jackson-Davis | ||||
| Time (ET) | Title | Presenter | Institution | |
| 9:25am | An Integrated Approach to Developing Extension Outreach Curricula for Home Food Preservation, Retail Food Safety, and Cottage Foods: A Food Safety Extension Network Effort
View Abstract (PDF) |
Carla Schwan | University of Georgia | |
| 9:40am | Food Safety by Design: Adding Value, Ensuring Safety of Food Products Produced by Small Processors
View Abstract (PDF) |
Kantha Channaiah | University of Missouri | |
| 9:55am | Bridging the Gap: Creating FSMA-PSR and GAP-Inspired Food Safety Outreach Program for Underserved Urban Growers in Illinois
View Abstract (PDF) |
Pratik Banerjee | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | |
| 10:10am | Addressing Produce Safety Educational Needs for Non-English Speaking Produce Growers in the Midwest
View Abstract (PDF) |
Manreet Bhullar | Kansas State University | |
| 10:25am | Transformative Food Safety Learning 1.0: Using Virtual Simulation to Engage Small- and Very-Small Food Processors
View Abstract (PDF) |
Yaohua (Betty) Feng | Purdue University | |
| 10:40am | Morning Break | Foyer - 14th Floor Pre-Function Space | ||
| 10:55am | Evaluation Update | Matt Benge | University of Florida | |
| 11:05am | CONTACT Grant Update | Taylor O’Bannon | University of Florida | |
| Session 2 | ||||
| Moderator: Ellen Johnsen | ||||
| Time (ET) | Title | Presenter | Institution | |
| 11:15am | Sanitation Control Practitioner Program (SCPP)- The Development of an Education Sanitation Program for Small Processors
View Abstract (PDF) |
Amanda Kinchla | University of Massachusetts, Amherst | |
| 11:30am | Training Beginning, Socially Disadvantaged, and Organic Specialty Crop Producers in Food Safety / FSMA Compliance to Access Intermediated Markets
View Abstract (PDF) |
Emily Round | New Entry Food Hub | |
| 11:45am | De-Mystifying FSMA: Creating a Food Safety Education and Training Program to Increase Market Access for Black Producers and Chefs in the Mid-Atlantic US
View Abstract (PDF) |
Marcus Roberson | Good Earth Therapy | |
| 12:00pm | Group Working Lunch | Starling Room | ||
| Session 3 | ||||
| Moderator: Elizabeth Newbold | ||||
| Time (ET) | Title | Presenter | Institution | |
| 1:45pm | Developing a Hazards and Controls Guide to Support Safe Seaweed Production and Marketing
View Abstract (PDF) |
Razieh Farzad | University of Florida | |
| 2:00pm | Expanding Food Safety Resources for Small and Mid-Size Processors of Low Moisture Foods
View Abstract (PDF) |
Abigail Snyder | Cornell University | |
| 2:15pm | Young Farmer Food Safety Education Project: Developing and Implementing Food Safety Outreach Activities for WV High School Horticulture Instructors as Supplement to the Farm-to-School Program
View Abstract (PDF) |
Nettie Freshour | West Virginia University | |
| 2:30pm | FSMA Traceability Requirements in Retail Food Establishments: Development of an Educational Training Program
View Abstract (PDF) |
Ellen Shumaker | North Carolina State University | |
| 2:45pm | Afternoon Break | Foyer - 14th Floor Pre-Function Space | ||
| 3:00pm | Instructions for Breakout Groups | Elizabeth Newbold | ||
| Time (ET) | Breakout Sessions | Facilitator | Room | |
| 3:05pm | Breakout #1 | Elizabeth Newbold | Wilson Plover North | |
| Breakout #2 | Taylor O’Bannon | Wilson Plover South | ||
| Breakout #3 | Billy Mitchell | Skylark | ||
| Breakout #4 | Stephanie Brown | Skylark | ||
| 4:05pm | Breakout Report Out | |||
| 5:00pm | Poster Session and Reception | Foyer - 14th Floor Pre-Function Space | ||
| 6:30pm | Dinner on Own | |||
| Day 2 | May 29, 2025 | |||
| 8:00am | Morning Refreshments | Foyer - 14th Floor Pre-Function Space | |
| Updates from Associations | |||
| Moderator: Keith Schneider | |||
| Time (ET) | Title | Presenter | Institution |
| 8:30am | Day 2 Welcome | ||
| 8:40am | Produce Safety Alliance | Yulie Meneses | Produce Safety Alliance |
| 8:50am | Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance | Jason Wan | FSPCA - Institute for Food Safety and Health IIT |
| 9:00am | Local Food Safety Collaborative | Billy McCarthy | National Farmers Union |
| 9:10am | Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative | Kaycee Captain | Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative |
| Session 4 | |||
| Moderator: Stephanie Brown | |||
| Time (ET) | Title | Presenter | Institution |
| 9:20am | Equipping Small Processors to Thrive in Larger Markets: A Hybrid Approach to Support Training Efficacy
View Abstract (PDF) |
Alexis Hamilton | Virginia Tech University |
| 9:35am | GLEAN (Game Learning to Educate and Advance kNowledge): Transformative Food Safety Training for Farmers Market Vendors
View Abstract (PDF) |
Kristen Gibson | University of Arkansas |
| 9:50am | Leveraging Partnerships Among North Carolina Extension Programs to Build Food Safety Educational Capacity and Expand Industry Accessibility to Resources
View Abstract (PDF) |
Lynette Johnston | North Carolina State University |
| 10:05am | Enhancing Food Safety for Underserved Farmers in Rural Mississippi
View Abstract (PDF) |
Nicole Bell | Mississippi Association of Cooperatives |
| 10:20am | Morning Break | Foyer - 14th Floor Pre-Function Space | |
| 10:35am | Empowering Faculty and Staff from Minority-Serving Institutions to Successfully Write Grants
View Abstract (PDF) |
Angela Walla | Texas Tech University |
| 10:50am | Minimizing Postharvest Loss, Improving Product Quality, and Food Safety in the Black Belt Food Corridor
View Abstract (PDF) |
Kristin Woods & Terri Lewis | Tuskegee University |
| 11:05am | FSMA and Business Development Training to Underserved Small Food & Beverage Entrepreneurs and Future Capacity Building
View Abstract (PDF) |
Jennifer Stone | Georgia Tech Research Corporation |
| 11:20am | FSMA Training Cohort for Small Georgia Food Producers
View Abstract (PDF) |
Jennifer Stone | Georgia Tech Research Corporation |
| 11:35am | Developing an Engaging Produce Safety Add-On Training for Soilless Growing Operations
View Abstract (PDF) |
Laurel Dunn | University of Georgia |
| 11:50am | Meeting Final Remarks / Adjourn | Keith Schneider | University of Florida |
| 12:00pm | Grab and Go Lunch | Foyer - 14th Floor Pre-Function Space | |
Poster Directory
Numerous poster presentations were presented during the conference. Scroll through the table below and click on the icon to view each poster presentation. The Posters listed below are in order by last name.
Registration
This meeting is supported in part by USDA NIFA grant no. 2021-70020-35740 and 2024-70020-42861.
What does the in-person attendance include?
In-person registration provides participation in the meeting, a printed program and abstract book, light morning, mid-morning, and afternoon refreshments, a served lunch and a poster session social (Wednesday), and light morning refreshments with a boxed lunch (Thursday).
The deadline to cancel is Monday, May 5th
What does virtual attendance include?
Virtual registration provides access to the live-stream of the presentations, participation in Q&A via chat, and the program and abstract book PDF. Please note that virtual participation does not include streaming of the breaks, lunch, breakouts, or Poster Session.
The deadline to register is Tuesday, May 27th
Venue
Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay
2900 Bayport Drive
Tampa, FL 33507
PH: (813) 874-1234
Visit Website
| Discounted Group Rate | ||
| Room Type | Standard King | Double-double |
| Rate | $189.00 | $189.00 |
- The rate being offered to attendees is exclusive and may not be used in conjunction with any advertised or unadvertised promotional specials existing or yet unreleased.
- This discounted room rate is available one day prior the meeting (based on hotel availability).
Hotel Reservation Deadline: Event has Passed
Travel
Browse below for some helpful information about transportation to and from the meeting.
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
7 minutes | 3.5 miles
St. Pete/Clearwater International Airport (PIE)
21 minutes | 14.7 miles
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)
1 hour | 53.6 miles
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
1 hour 30 minutes | 90.8 miles