A Record of Attendance Closes the VFM–AARC Annual Training Program
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During August and September, Veggies From Mexico developed its 2026–2027 Annual Training Program in Culiacan, with a series of activities focused on food safety, social responsibility, sustainability, farming production, upgrades on standards, and innovation.
In collaboration with the Association of Farmers from the Culiacan River (AARC), the training sessions were held from August 25 to September 11 and had a broad participation from collaborators of farming companies which are part of the Veggies From Mexico community and the Eleven Rivers Growers program.
Among the attendees were food safety and quality coordinators, packing and field managers, social responsibility coordinators, certification and safety officers, as well as staff from other areas related to farming operations.
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Basic HACCP
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The program started with the Basic HACCP training, lectured for two days by MSc Eduardo Lecea from SCS Global Services Mexico.
Other than reviewing the fundamentals and principles of this methodology, participants engaged in team-based practical exercises, analyzing different scenarios and presenting their conclusions to the group. This dynamic allowed them to connect the content to real-life situations that may arise within daily operations.
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Food Safety Culture and Crisis Management
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Aurea Agueda Hernandez, in collaboration with SCS Global Services Mexico, taught this training focused on two subjects involving different areas of the companies.
In the first part, she explained that a food safety culture requires the commitment from the management and the involvement of all the organizational levels. She also encouraged attendees to review their processes and consider new ways of developing their activities.
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In the crisis management section, participants analyzed potential scenarios within a company and the importance of having a prepared team to respond. It was emphasized that this group must integrate different areas, including commercial, and that its functions are different from those of the food safety or security teams.
The session included exercises and interactive dynamics using Kahoot by the end of subjects, as well as the exchange of experiences among attendees.
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PrimusGFS 4.0 Change Control and IPM Module 9
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Linda Soto Landin from SCS Global Services Mexico, presented a review of the changes anticipated for PrimusGFS 4.0 and Module 9 from Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
During the training, she explained that version 4.0 of the scheme is still in progress and that its metrics are not yet available due to the benchmarking process with GFSI.
Based on the information and lists available, some of the main changes considered in the new version were reviewed, as well as the items intended at maintaining alignment with GFSI requirements.
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Environmental Management and Sustainability
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In the training sessions related to environmental management and sustainability, tools and examples were shared which can be directly applied to farming operations.
Alan Acosta, Control Union Auditor, explained how to perform calculations related to consumption and waste generation within companies. This information allows the establishment of indicators, the development of management plans, and the provision of evidence for compliance with environmental audits.
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Concepts of sustainability and maintainability were also addressed from a practical point of view, considering actions which can contribute to efficient use of resources and company operation.
Examples reviewed included measurement and optimization of water consumption, monitoring of irrigation, waste utilization, recycling of farming plastics, energy efficiency, diesel consumption reduction, and improvements in packing and transportation processes.
Also, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects were analyzed, such as supplier monitoring, traceability, transportation safety, prevention of heat stress, housing conditions for workers, mechanisms for receiving employee feedback, and the assignment of responsible parties to follow up on these actions.
Decent wage and its implementation in farming companies
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Biochemist Diego Corrales lectured a training session on decent wage, in which he presented one of the methodologies used to calculate it within companies.
Through examples related to the farming sector, participants reviewed how to ensure that collaborators receive a decent wage.
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Key Aspects in Supervising Food Safety and Security Practices
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During this training, the role developed by supervision in the proper implementation of food safety and security programs within farming companies was analyzed.
Attendees reviewed the importance of verifying processes, identifying areas of opportunity, and following up on established practices. They also shared experiences and situations faced in their daily activities, which allowed them to compare different ways of working and resolved queries with the speakers.
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BUMA Seminar
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As part of the program, the BUMA Seminar was also held, featuring Carlos Batiz and Ignacio Caro, both Certified Crop Advisers (CCA); Diego Herrera from AMOCALI – Clean Field Program; and Roberto Altamirano from OrganiCrops.
Throughout the seminar, subjects were addressed related to the International Certification Program CCA, concepts to achieve efficient applications, safe and responsible management of empty pesticide containers, and strategies for controlling Thrips parvispinus and other pests of farming importance.
Attendees were also able to ask questions and share concerns with the specialists, mostly regarding situations that arise directly in the field.
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International On-Farm Readiness Review Program (iOFRR) Webinar
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The program included a webinar on the iOFRR by the FDA, an educational tool developed to support growers in complying with the Produce Safety Rule (PSR) and preparing for a potential visit from this authority. This webinar was lectured by PhD. Mauricio Castelo, a member of the Division of Produce Food Safety (PSR).
During the training session, it was explained that the program involves a walkthrough of facilities under the scope of the rule, conducted by a qualified professional using the WAQ (Walk Along Questions) methodology.
From this walkthrough, confidential observations are generated that allow the identification of improvement opportunities before a regulatory inspection.
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Creative AI
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The final training session of the program was dedicated to Creative Artificial Intelligence, lectured by Georgius Gotsis, Veggies From Mexico CEO.
During the session, he presented basic concepts on the use of ChatGPT and other AI tools, as well as examples of tasks in which these can be applied to facilitate both professional and personal activities.
He also shared practical cases related to the work developed by Eleven Rivers Growers – Veggies From Mexico, showing different ways of incorporating these tools into daily activities.
Just as every year our organization, Veggies From Mexico, together with the Association of Farmers from the Culiacán River (AARC) developed these training sessions in order to provide greater tools and improve both the professional and personal competencies of technicians working in companies from the farming sector. The courses also serve as an excellent space for networking and strengthening the industry, as through collaboration of all the parties involved, we consolidate our commitment to growing better food: safe, of excellent quality, and delicious.
At the closing of the program, attendees shared positive feedback and expressed their gratitude to Eleven Rivers Growers – Veggies From Mexico and the AARC for providing subjects and updates that prepare them for the challenges of a new season and allow them to continue working towards the production of safe and high-quality food.
See you in the next training season!
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