IDDBA Training

Introducing the new IDDBA training site!

This is where you will find training materials and opportunity for professional development for all levels of retailer or supplier associates to learn and grow within their current position as well as prepare for the next.

Retail Associate Training

Associates of all levels are encouraged to use the courses to learn about, or refresh their knowledge in, bakery, cake decorating, specialty cheese, deli meats, and food safety. There are quick videos for each topic followed by a short quiz to test the knowledge gained. Pass the quiz to earn a certificate of completion.

Resource Library (members only)

The resource library is where downloadable and printable job guides and workbooks are found. Most job guides also have a Spanish version.

Job guides are a quick one-page reference sheet that can be used as a helpful reminder for new staff or those who don’t frequently perform that task. From product knowledge to food safety, they cover many useful topics.

Workbooks are more in-depth training for managing the specialty cheese, deli, and bakery departments, customer service, and food safety. These include a quiz and answer key for self-assessment.

Certificate Exams

The IDDBA offers two certificate exams, one for deli/bakery department managers and one for charcuterie professionals.

Deli/Bakery department managers are invited to take this on-demand exam at a time that works best for them. Passing the 100-question exam and earning the certificate will show they are proficient in food safety, inventory, staffing, operations, and merchandising (for a more detailed exam content outline, please click here). Along with on-the-job and employer-provided training, IDDBA offers additional supplemental resources. Those resources are the workbooks and job guides located in the Resource Library, also on the IDDBA training site.

Charcuterie professionals can earn the title IDDBA Certified Salumiere Professional (CSP) by passing an intense 100-question proctored exam. To earn this recognition, they will have proven strong knowledge in these areas of charcuterie:

Preparation of Charcuterie Products for Merchandising
Marketing/Sales, including Customer Service, Merchandising
Product Handling
Business Practices and Finance
Safety and Sanitation Regulations

For more information and registration for the Certified Salumiere Professional (CSP) exam including exam content and recommended reading, click here.

Questions? We’re happy to help. Email us at education@iddba.org.

Webinar Resources

Follow links to download slide decks. Full webinar presentations are available for members to view. For more webinars please see here.

Food Safety

The Future of Food Safety Is Natural: Controlling Listeria with Inneo Innodal was launched in 2017, to produce bacteriocins and other natural antimicrobials for food processing. In 2020, Innodal’s flagship product, Inneo, was the first bacteriocin recognized by Health Canada as a...

Traceability: Fact, Fiction and Future Although traceability is not a new concept, the FDA Traceability Rule, with a January 2026 compliance date, has many food industry members confused and anxious. This discussion will start by providing context about...

Top 2024 Insights: Food Safety, Culture and Training Trends Join industry experts Miles Agatha-Currier, IDDBA, and Gary Wills, BSI, for an in-depth review of 2024. From the latest insights in food safety and sustainability to fostering a culture that puts people first...

AI: How It Can Be Used to Transform Food Safety This webinar will focus on AI in food safety, how AI can be used in data analysis, risk assessments, and real-world applications and case studies with horizon scanning.

Introducing StateFoodSafety: Tailored Food Safety Solutions for IDDBA Members This presentation, led by Thomas Larsen and Tracy Larson, introduces IDDBA members to StateFoodSafety, showcasing the grocery-specific courses and content available to help ensure food safety...

The Impact of Compliance with FDA Food Code Control Measures in Preventing Foodborne Norovirus Illness from Retail Food Establishments Norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illnesses globally and also within the United...

Avoiding the Top 10 Most Common Food Safety Mistakes in Deli Processing After 94 years of auditing food manufacturing facilities, ASI has learned first-hand that while every operation comes with a unique set of problems, there are more similarities than differences...

Avoiding the Top 10 Most Common Food Safety Mistakes in Dairy Processing After 94 years of auditing food manufacturing facilities, ASI has learned first-hand that while every operation comes with a unique set of problems, there are...

Embedding a Learning Culture for Food Safety This session will explore the ways in which to train and develop staff to underpin food safety culture.

Developing a Mature Food Safety Culture - Your Steps to Success Join Alison Cousins, Global Food & Retail Training Director at BSI who will explain the steps outlined in PAS 320, a valuable free guidance document for establishing a robust food safety culture...

Prioritizing People – Safe Employees Make Safe Food Join us for an enlightening webinar on ‘Prioritizing People – Safe Employees Make Safe Food.' Unlock the key to food safety excellence by exploring how prioritizing employee well-being...

Where are you in your FSMA 204 journey? "Do" and "Review" to ensure your organization's compliance to FSMA 204 Part two of the FSMA 204 webinar series from New Era Partners. We will focus on what you can "do" to prepare and how to...

Where are you in your FSMA 204 journey? "Learn" and "Plan" for how to prepare your organization for compliance. Learn more about New Era Partners' strategy for achieving FSMA 204 compliance by Learning, Planning, Doing, and...

FSNS Food Safety Education Courses: Overview It is important that employees be educated in food safety standards and implementation, especially when a company is required to provide such education as a component of certification.

Food Defense: Bridging the Gap Between Food Safety and Cybersecurity Join us for an insightful webinar on "Food Defense: Bridging the Gap Between Food Safety and Cybersecurity." Discover how the...

Building Trust through Food Safety: Understanding the Impact and Safeguarding Your Business This informative session aims to provide valuable insights and knowledge on ensuring food safety in various settings.

The Why of Food Safety The two words - food and safety - create something powerful when combined. Why are they so important and what's all of this talk about culture? We'll tackle both of these questions, and attendees will takeaway a new or renewed commitment to

Essential Concepts of Food Safety Culture Join Neil Coole, Americas Director of Food and Retail Supply Chain, BSI Group to discuss this important topic. You will gain understanding what a culture of food...

Safe Storage Temperatures for Cheese Alex O'Brien, Dairy Safety and Quality Coordinator with UW Madison Center for Dairy Research will review how cheese varieties such as Cheddar, Parmesan, Gouda, and...

Training Category

Best Pairings With Italian Charcuterie Join Stefano Scarso from Rovagnati as he provides insight on how to enhance the enjoyment experience through pairings of Italian "salumi" with different foods and drinks.

The History of Italian Charcuterie and Product Overview A journey in the into the history of Italian “salumi” (charcuterie), from ancient Roman times to today. Discover the origins of Italian tradition and the evolution...