Self Directed Learning for Start-Ups

Continuous Learning with the SSFPA

Embracing the spirit of continuous growth and learning, the Small Scale Food Processor Association offers an array of self-directed learning opportunities tailored for food and beverage processors. Our selection spans both active courses and an archive of past offerings, showcasing our commitment to providing valuable educational content. Presented in diverse formats to accommodate different learning styles, these resources are designed to empower you with the expertise needed to thrive in the dynamic food processing sector.

Current Self-Directed Learning Opportunities

A course for new and existing food & beverage processors. The SSFPA is pleased to introduce “Recipe for Success”. If you are thinking of starting a food processing business we strongly urge you to take advantage of these learning materials. Even if you have already started a food processing business you may gain valuable insights from the “Recipe for Success” course to assist you in advancing your business. This online course has been developed with the assistance of Vancity Savings and Credit Union.

Finding level-entry workers for small scale food processors has just got easier, thanks to a project that makes meaningful employment for adults with developmental delays (and others with literacy challenges) much more accessible. Training materials that were recently developed to reflect national Food Processing standards have been adapted into plain language using lots of graphics to assist employers with training needs of their employees with developmental disabilities. People with a variety of barriers to employment (and their employment counselors) may use them for training.

Archived Learning

HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points. Some people were not able to attend “A BC Step by Step HACCP Plan” workshop in person because they live too far away from where workshops were held. To solve this problem, the SSFPA developed a distance learning option for people who can’t attend a workshop in person – a personal Home Study Program to complete the “A Step by Step BC HACCP Plan” program. This program is no longer active.

This course helped entrepreneurs train current and new employees online about good manufacturing practices for food processors. These online courses could be taken one module at a time or all at once. Each module ended with a review or quiz to ensure participants’ involvement and comprehension.

Co-packing is when a business is hired to make/pack your product, or you may be a co-packer for others. This presentation was an introduction to food safety when co-packing a food product.

Co-packing is when a business is hired to make/pack your product, or you may be a co-packer for others. This presentation demonstrated the division of food safety roles and responsibilities between all parties involved when co-packing a food product.

Co-packing is when a business is hired to make/pack your product, or you may be a co-packer for others. Checklists were included for co-packer, client and facility evaluation, and for drafting co-packing contracts.

This course enabled entrepreneurs to train current and new employees online about basic hygiene practices for food processors. These online courses could be taken one module at a time or all at once. Each module ended with a review or quiz to ensure participants’ involvement and comprehension.

This online learning module helped food processors understand the critical role of traceability in modern food safety management systems like GMP and HACCP, and to learn how tracking products using a traceability system could benefit their business.

Even with the best planning, food safety incidents that result in recall can occur. It only makes good business sense to be well prepared to respond to any challenges to your company’s well-being. This instructional program, “Recall in a Wired World”, was designed to help companies develop a recall plan that is responsive to the realities of the internet and social media.

Ready to jump into a future program? Join the SSFPA today to stay informed of upcoming projects aimed at growing your business.