Programs Food Safety Education Program Programs Good Agricultural Practices GAP Manual
Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)
Food Safety Manual
This Manual Was Written and compiled by:
Wesley L. Kline, Ph.D.
County Agriculture Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Cumberland County, New Jersey.
David Nyachuba, Ph.D.
Director of UMass Extension Food Safety Education Program, Amherst, Massachusetts.
A. Richard Bonanno, Ph.D.
Extension Educator with UMass Extension Agricultural Resources Program, Amherst, Massachusetts.
Section 1
- GAP and Its Impact on You as the Grower
by A. Richard Bonanno, Ph.D.
Section 2
- What Initiated the Need for a Food Safety Plan
by Wesley L. Kline, Ph.D. - Problems Observed During the 2008 Audits
by Wesley L. Kline, Ph.D. - USDA Checklist Third Party Audit
by Wesley L. Kline, Ph.D.
Section 3
- Pathogens Commonly Associated with Fresh Produce: How can they be controlled?
by David Nyachuba, Ph.D.
Section 4
Developing a Plan for Third-Party Audits - Guidelines
by Wesley L. Kline, Ph.D.
- Introduction: Getting Started and General Questions
- GAP Forms:
- USDA Good Agricultural Practices & Good Handling Practices Audit Verification Checklist pages 1 – 6
- Water Source Testing Log
- Employee Food Safety Education and Training Log
- Handwashing (poster)
- Visitor Sign In Sheet
- Health and Safety Notice
- Toilet Paper Use (poster)
- Restroom and Toilet Facility Maintenance Log
- USDA Good Agricultural Practices & Good Handling Practices Audit Verification Checklist pages 1 – 6
- Farm Review
- GAP Forms:
- Field Harvest and Field Packing Activities
- GAP Forms:
- USDA Good Agricultural Practices & Good Handling Practices Audit Verification Checklist pages 11 – 13
- Handwashing Fact Sheet
- Handwashing (poster)
- Restroom and Toilet Facility Maintenance Log
- Toilet Use (poster)
- Toilet Paper Use (poster)
- Harvesting Container Sanitization Log
- Field Harvesting Equipment and Transportation Sanitization
- Water Source Testing Log
- Field Harvest & Field Packing Inspecting
- USDA Good Agricultural Practices & Good Handling Practices Audit Verification Checklist pages 11 – 13
- House Packing Facility
- GAP Forms:
- USDA Good Agricultural Practices & Good Handling Practices Audit Verification Checklist pages 14 – 17
- Water Source Testing Log
- Ice Sanitation Log
- Packing House and Storage Cleaning Recommendations
- Packing House and Storage Facility-Daily Inspection Log
- Packing House and Storage Facility-Monthly Inspection Log
- Packing House and Storage Facility-Quarterly Inspection Log
- Produce Disinfection Log
- Please Note Hairnet
- Bait Station Control Log
- USDA Good Agricultural Practices & Good Handling Practices Audit Verification Checklist pages 14 – 17
- Storage and Transportation
- GAP Forms:
- USDA Good Agricultural Practices & Good Handling Practices Audit Verification Checklist pages 18 – 21
- Harvesting Container Sanitization Log
- Packing House and Storage Cleaning Recommendations
- Packing House and Storage Facility-Daily Inspection Log
- Packing House and Storage Facility-Monthly Inspection Log
- Packing House and Storage Facility-Quarterly Inspection Log
- Bait Station Control Log
- Water Source Testing Log
- Ice Sanitation Log
- Storage Temperature Log
- Thermometer Log
- Carrier Monitoring Log
- USDA Good Agricultural Practices & Good Handling Practices Audit Verification Checklist pages 18 – 21
- Traceback
- References
- GAP Forms: Wholesale Distribution Center/Terminal Warehouses
- GAP Forms: Preventive Food Defense Procedures
Section 5
Audit Form and Scoresheet
- USDA Good Agricultural Practices & Good Handling Practices Audit Verification Checklist pages 1 – 30
- Good Agricultural Practices / Good Handling Practices Audit Verification Program Scoresheet
Section 6
- Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) (USDA GAP & GHP Audit Program)
GAP 2009 Cost Share Letter and Form - Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) (USDA GAP & GHP Audit Program)
GAP 2009 Cost Share Letter and Form - USDA GAP & GHP Audit Application
- USDA GAP & GHP Audit Application
- Massachusetts Water Quality Standards (Short Version) and USDA GAP & GHP Contact Info
- USDA GAP & GHP Client Requested Audit Verification Checklist
Section 7
Sample Food Safety Plans
- A Food Safety Plan Developed In New York As an Example for Growers
- The Henderson Farm Grower Food Safety Manual
Section 8
MA Water Quality Standards and Testing in Massachusetts
- Frequently Asked Questions about Water Quality Standards and Microbial Testing in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Water Quality Standards (Short Version) and USDA GAP & GHP Contact Info
- Massachusetts Water Quality Standards (Long Version)
- Resource Information and Websites: Agricultural Water
- Resource Information: Drinking Water
- Resource Information: Water Disinfection
Section 9
Additional Educational Materials
- Guidance for Industry: Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
- Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Lettuce and Leafy Greens Supply Chain. 1st Edition. 2006. Prepared by International Fresh-cut Produce Association, Produce Marketing Association, United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, and Western Growers
- Key Points and Control and Management of Microbial Food Safety: Information for Growers, Packers, and Handlers of Fresh-Consumed Horticultural Products – Publication 8102. By Suslow, C.V., University of California (UC) Cooperative Extension Specialist, Department of Vegetable Crops, UC Davis
- Food Safety at Farmers Markets and Agritourism Venues – A publication of the UC Small Farm Center
- Did you know? In the Field there is a need for hygiene too!
- Good Hygiene Protects Everyone
- Food Safety Begins on the Farm: A Grower's Guide
- Laminated Handwashing Poster
- Safe Handling of Raw Produce and Fresh-Squeezed Fruit and Vegetable Juices
- Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
- Food Safety Word List
Section 10
Appendices
- Commercial Laboratories Engaged in the Analysis of Food Products within the Massachusetts Vicinity
- Equipment, Supplies and Service
- Resource Information and Websites
About Authors:
Wesley Kline, Ph.D.
Wes Kline is an Associate Professor with the Department of Agriculture and Resource Management at Rutgers University, NJ and an Agricultural Agent with Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Cumberland County, NJ. He is an expert in GAP training and implementation and has successfully completed the USDA GAPs auditor’s course. He received his Ph.D. in Vegetable crops from Cornell University and has extensive international experience in countries such as El Salvador, Honduras, Somalia and Ecuador.
David Nyachuba, Ph.D.
David Nyachuba is an Assistant Professor at University of Massachusetts Amherst Department of Nutrition and Director of UMass Extension Food Safety Program. He serves as Principal Investigator on the UMass GAP project. He teaches several food safety courses. In the lab, he studies foodborne pathogenic bacteria with an emphasis on Listeria monocytogenes.
A. Richard Bonanno, Ph.D.
Rich Bonanno is an Extension Educator with UMass Extension and is a co-Principal Investigator on the UMass GAP project. He is responsible for weed management in vegetable and small fruit crops. He serves as a Public Member to the Massachusetts Pesticide Control Board and is a past-president of the New England Vegetable & Berry Grower's Association.
For more information on GAPs and help in setting up a Food Safety Plan on your farm, contact:
David Nyachuba
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
(413) 545-0552
or
Rich Bonanno
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(978) 361-5650
