Looking at the 36 - pageUSDA Good Agricultural Practices Audit Verification Checklist , you ’re sure to feel some trepidation . flip over through the page , you ’ll see that to receive canonical U.S. food - safety GAP credential , your farm will be scored on public lavatory facility , first - care policies , irrigation - water testing protocols , condition of harvesting equipment , pestilence - control program … and the list go on .
Whether or not you ’re are aiming forGAP certification — a prerequisite normally driven by wholesale purchasers — the guideline fix forth for the audit are for the most part common - sense food - safety measures that farms of all size should implement anyway . Getting the corroboration simply ascertain you and your customer that these guideline are actually followed .
To minimize your bullying of the process , follow this basic outline to prepare for and come through a GAP audit .
Step 1 : Create a Farm Food - safety PlanCreating a food - base hit plan for your farm is the first footstep toward GAP certification . The GAP audit follows the Food and Drug Administration ’s “ direct to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables . ” It ’s not light reading , but it outlines the thought process behind stock food - safety equipment requirements and can help you better understand the need for a food - safety programme .
entropy is available online and through your local concerted file name extension office to get you on a path to creating a intellectual nourishment - refuge design . Industry consultants and fellow Fannie Merritt Farmer are excellent resources , as well .
“ I intend it ’s always a good mind to get somebody else onto your farm to take a critical spirit at your operation — and not just for solid food safety , ” say Chris Blanchard , proprietor of Rock Spring Farm in Decorah , Iowa , who oft host food - safety shop through his farm - refer business sector Flying Rutabaga Works . “ Farmer who are highly meddling and on a unforesightful timeline might really benefit from working with a consultant . ”
footprint 2 : Request a GAP AuditWith plan in home , fill out a USDARequest for Audit Services form , and reconcile it to theGAP auditing organizationclosest to your farm .
“ Auditor location in law of proximity to the farm is a decisive element to take into considerateness , especially when price includes the attender ’s time to travel to the farm , ” says Gretchen Wall , Produce Safety Alliancecoordinator at Cornell University . PSA is a quislingism between Cornell University , FDA and USDA that aid farmers understand and follow through food - safety pattern .
According to United Fresh , a craft association for businesses that work with bracing garden truck , USDA GAP auditors ’ prison term is charge at $ 92 per hour per auditor , include change of location time .
“ USDA has been expectant about programing audited account for multiple growers in one area or visiting when they are on farm for other cause to cut down on costs , ” Wall says .
gradation 3 : Perform a Self - auditOnce your audited account postulation is submitted , you should hear back from the agency within 48 60 minutes . Ask for a copy of the agency ’s GAP audit paperwork to guide you through preparation for your audit review .
“ ego - audit are a neat way to prepare for a material audited account , ” Wall read . “ Fannie Merritt Farmer can see they are able to meet the demand before the listener visits the farm . This helps save time and money for both parties ; there should be no surprise if you complete a ego - audit before the auditor arrives . ”
Do n’t cut yourself any slack when walk through the audited account paperwork .
“ Answer the questions frankly . And make indisputable your toilet are sporty — that ’s the first place your examiner will visit , ” Blanchard contribute .
Step 4 : Be Open and Flexible During the AuditOn the twenty-four hours of the review , each inspector has his own style of doing thing — within the parameter of the GAP computer programme , of course — so it ’s difficult to say how long you should expect an audit to last . The timeframe will also depend on the size and complexity of your operation . ( Blanchard ’s GAP audited account took four hours . ) You want to have your food - safety coach present tense ( this might be you ) , and if you have employees , make them usable to talk with the listener , too . Have your food - safety plan and records quick , and be able to explain your criminal record - keeping system of rules .
The hearer will run through the GAP checklist , assigning each interrogation a point value — a uttermost of 5 to 15 point , depending on the weight unit of the interrogative sentence — and make notes . United Fresh outlines several conditions that ensue in an reflex “ unsatisfactory ” rating , including an prompt solid food - safety risk , gnawer or excessive pest , employee practices jeopardizing produce safety gadget , falsification or want of record , and not make someone creditworthy for a food for thought - base hit broadcast .
The auditor can explain GAP audit procedures and answer question about the logical thinking behind requirement , but he is not allow to give advice or offer consultation on improvement .
Step 5 : hold off for Results , and Reapply if NecessaryAfter the auditor completes his account , it is reviewed by an auditing supervisor , and you will be notified if you passed or were delinquent in sure area . There is no GAP penalisation for not pass off the inspection ; you simply try again after you ’ve corrected the thing the auditor found to be deficient . Although , Blanchard point out , fail an audit can be a problem if you ’re selling to a vendor who requires GAP certification .
The GAP certification process is a big undertaking , but it can have fiscal riposte for your farm by opening up young market place that require this food - safety bench mark . habituate the resource useable to you to help oneself in your preparation . on-line resources , such as Family Farmed’sOn - Farm Food Safety ProjectandGet GAP demonstrate , as well as your peers , can help you in developing a plan that will better food safety for your customers and your own house .
