Professional Training Courses

Learn your crucial role in the process of taking berries from the field to the table, including guidance to extend the life of berries, ideas to increase profits in your produce aisle, and tips to display strawberries.

Successful produce merchandising requires strategy, tough calls, a general understanding of food safety and creative touch. 

Learn all the produce merchandising basics right here:

• The never-ending cycle of rotation;
• Culling;
• Freshness and Location;
• Color Breaks;
• Leveling, Stacking and Dummying;
• Fresh-cut;
• Signage;
• Cross-merchandising; and
• Sale and seasonal sections.

Course Requirements

This course consists of 9 training modules. Each module has a set of learning objectives that highlight the key takeaways of the course.

You must complete a quiz at the end of the last module and receive a grade of 70% or higher. Upon completion of this program, you will be awarded a certificate of achievement in Produce Merchandising 101 from Produce EDU, brought to you by PMG and The Packer.

This training module reveals that everyone has an important role to play in creating a more sustainable world.

The information in this training was obtained via The Packer’s annual Sustainability Insights survey — conducted in May 2022 by Trust in Food, a Farm Journal initiative— polled 664 growers, consumers and retailers to gain a greater understanding of the sustainable practices and perceptions of each group.

Course Requirements

This course consists of 3 modules. Each module has a set of learning objectives that highlight the key takeaways of the course.

You must complete a quiz at the end of the last module and receive a grade of 70% or higher. Upon completion of this program, you will be awarded a certificate of achievement in 2022 Grower, Retailer and Consumer Sustainability Insights, brought to you by PMG and The Packer. You can retake the quiz as needed.

How can growers begin to measure and manage fresh produce’s carbon footprint? Alison Edwards, Director of the Stewardship Index for Specialty Crops, and Dr. Adam Chambers, a scientist with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), explain where we’re at and give insight on the next steps to help offer science-based, data-driven tools so growers can be part of the climate solution.

Course Requirements

This course consists of 4 modules. Each module has a set of learning objectives that highlight the key takeaways of the course.

You must complete a quiz at the end of the last module and receive a grade of 70% or higher. Upon completion of this program, you will be awarded a certificate of achievement in Fresh Produce’s Carbon Footprint, brought to you by PMG and The Packer. You can retake the quiz as needed.

Success on the produce buying desk requires great communication, skillful relationship management, creative problem-solving and relentless attention to detail. Studying beforehand this compilation of situations you’re likely to encounter on the job will help you be prepared to respond when they happen. You’ll also come away with strategies that empower you to prevent issues altogether. Knowing your commodities is also essential, but thinking ahead about how to navigate surprises and stress on the desk is a key and underrated piece to being ready for the (sometimes) hot seat.

Course requirements

This course consists of 8 modules. Each module has a set of learning objectives that highlight the key takeaways of the course.

Upon completion of this program, you will be awarded a certificate of achievement in Produce Buying Fundamentals, Level 1 from Produce EDU, brought to you by PMG and The Packer.