Retailers

Learn the basics about root vegetables, with merchandising tips to create attractive, fresh, food-safe displays, produce department best practices, plus ideas for sales promotions. This course would be helpful for anyone working in produce at the retail level, in marketing or in supplier sales.

Learn about one of the fastest-growing sectors of the fresh produce industry — controlled environment agriculture (CEA)! This course highlights the process of growing hydroponic tomatoes, one of the most popular crops grown in a high-tech indoor system. If you’re an established or aspiring grower, get tips on how to maximize your production and quality. For others within the fresh produce supply chain, this course will provide an understanding of the complex science behind CEA.

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.

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.