Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) & Harmonized GAP Food Safety Manual
The UMass USDA-GAP manual is available below for use as a resource in Massachusetts. It was last updated in 2013 and does not include any information regarding FSMA regulations.
This manual was written and compiled by:
A. Richard Bonanno, Ph.D.
Extension Educator with UMass Extension Agricultural and Landscape Program, Amherst, Massachusetts
Wesley L. Kline, Ph.D.
County Agriculture Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Cumberland County, New Jersey
Section 1
Introduction
GAP and Its Impact on You as the Grower
GAP and Its Impact on You as the Grower
by A. Richard Bonanno, Ph.D.- MDAR Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) & Good Handling Practices (GHP) Audit Program
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources GAP & GHP web page with links to on-line audit request forms
Section 2
Food Safety Background Information & GAP Audit Checklist
- What Initiated the Need for a Food Safety Plan
- What Initiated the Need for a Food Safety Plan Part 1 (ppt slides 1-28)
- What Initiated the Need for a Food Safety Plan Part 2 (ppt slides 29-35)
- What Initiated the Need for a Food Safety Plan Part 3 (ppt slides 36-45)
by Wesley L. Kline, Ph.D. - GAP Audit Problems Observed on Farms
- GAP Audit Problems Observed on Farms
- GAP USDA Audit Verification Checklist by A. Richard Bonanno, Ph.D. and Wesley L. Kline, Ph.D.
Section 3
Traceability
- Traceability
by A. Richard Bonanno, Ph.D. - Pathogens Commonly Associated with Fresh Produce: How Can they be Controlled?
- Pathogens Commonly Associated with Fresh Produce: How Can they be Controlled?
by David Nyachuba, Ph.D. (This section is only on the web, it does not appear in the hard-copy manual).
Section 4
Developing a Plan for Third-Party Audits - Guidelines
by Wesley L. Kline, Ph.D.
Introduction: Getting Started and General Questions
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
Farm Review
Forms
- USDA Good Agricultural Practices & Good Handling Practices Audit Verification Checklist pages 7 – 10
- Water Source Testing Log
- Animal Monitoring Log
- Manure Application Log
Field Harvest and Packing Activities
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
House Packing Facility
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
- Wash Water Sanitizer Monitoring Log
- Produce Disinfection Log
- Please Note Hairnet
- Bait Station Control Log
Storage and Transportation
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
Traceback
References
Forms
Wholesale Distribution Center/Terminal Warehouses
Preventive Food Defense Procedures
USDA Good Agricultural Practices & Good Handling Practices Audit Verification Checklist pages 1 – 31
Good Agricultural Practices / Good Handling Practices Audit Verification Program Scoresheet
Section 5
MDAR Cost Sharing & Audit Applications
- Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) GAP 2010 Cost Share Letter and Form
- Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) GAP 2010 Cost Share Letter and Form
- USDA GAP & GHP Audit Application
- USDA GAP & GHP Audit Application
Section 6
Sample Food Safety Plans
- A New England GAP Farm Plan
- A New England GAP Farm Plan
- A Food Safety Plan Developed in New York as an Example for Growers
- A Food Safety Plan Developed in New York as an Example for Growers
- The Henderson Farm Grower Food Safety Manual
- The Henderson Farm Grower Food Safety Manual
Section 7
MA Water Quality Standards and Testing in Massachusetts
- Water Source Testing Log
- Ice Sanitation Log
- Frequently Asked Questions About Water Quality Standards and Microbial Testing in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Water Quality Standards and USDA GAP & GHP Contact Info
- MassDEP On-line Searchable Database of Certified Water Testing Laboratories (multi-state)
- Resource Information and Websites: Agricultural Water
- Resource Information: Drinking Water
- Resource Information: Water Disinfection
- Clorox Germicidal Concentrated Bleach Label (7/2014)
- Sanidate 5.0 Label (7/2014)
Section 8
Worker Hygiene Training
Section 9
Harmonized GAP Information
- UMass Agronomy and Vegetable Farm Food Safety Plan - Draft (August 2014)
- Research summary: Microbial Sampling at UMass Research Farm to Identify Potential Food Safety Risks (Nov 2014)
- Harmonized GAP Template 2013
- Harmonized Field Operations & Harvesting Checklist (Nov 2013)
- Harmonized Field Operations & Harvesting Checklist (July 2011)
- Harmonized Post-harvest Operations Checklist (Nov 2013)
- Harmonized Post-harvest Operations Checklist (July 2011)
Section 10
Additional Educational Materials
- Farm Food Safety overview. Slideshow by A. Richard Bonanno & Alicyn Ryan
- Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Lettuce and Leafy Greens Supply Chain. 1st Edition. 2006. Prepared by Internat. 1st Edition. 2006. Prepared by International Fresh-cut Produce Association, Produce Marketing Association, United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, and Western Growers.
- Food Safety at Farmers Markets and Agritourism Venues A publication of the UC Small Farm Center
- Guidance for Industry: Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
- 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
- Did you know? In the Field there is a need for hygiene too! (from the front additional inserts)
- Good Hygiene Protects Everyone (from the front additional inserts)
- Food Safety Begins on the Farm: A Grower's Guide (from the front additional inserts)
- Laminated Handwashing Poster (from the front additional inserts)
- Safe Handling of Raw Produce and Fresh-Squeezed Fruit and Vegetable Juices
- Food Safety Word List
Section 11
Appendices
- GAP Food Safety and Liability Insurance
- GAP Factsheet YouTube QR Codes
- Commercial Laboratories Engaged in the Analysis of Food Products within the Massachusetts Vicinity
- Equipment, Supplies and Service
- Commonwealth Quality Program (CQP)
- Resource Information and Websites
GAP on Youtube
To view videos click here: https://www.youtube.com/user/UMEXTAgLand
- Part 1: GAP and its impact on us as growers: 1 of introduction to GAP including a synopsis to what is contained in the UMass Gap manual and UMass GAP website
- Part 2: GAP and its impact on us as growers: Sect 2 of introduction to GAP including a discussion of what growers should consider when deciding to become GAP certified
- Part 3: What initiated the need for a food safety plan: Part 1 of background information on food safety problems over the past few years as well as a discussion of food safety legislation
- Part 4: What initiated the need for a food safety plan: Part 2 of background information on food safety problems and how on-farm practices may have contributed to these outbreaks
- Part 5: GAP Problems observed during third party audits: Part 1 of a discussion of common issues found on farms during a GAP audit focusing on worker hygiene, general farm sanitation, and field packing
- Part 6: GAP Problems observed during third party audits: Part 2 of a discussion of common issues found on farms during a GAP audit focusing on water quality, packing shed issues, and available resources for solving problems
- Part 7: GAP Audit Verification Checklist: Part 1 of the GAP Audit focusing on general questions about the farm and worker hygiene issues
- Part 8: GAP Audit Verification Checklist: Part 2 of the GAP Audit focusing on the farm review, water quality, livestock, wildlife, manure, and compost issues
- Part 9: GAP Audit Verification Checklist: Part 3 of the GAP Audit focusing on field harvesting and packing
- Part 10: GAP Audit Verification Checklist: Part 4 of the GAP Audit focusing on a continuation of field harvesting and packing
About Authors:
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 also 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. As of 2010, Rich serves as the President for Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation.
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.
For more information on GAP and help in setting up a Food Safety Plan on your farm, contact:
Lisa McKeag
lmckeag@umext.umass.edu
(413) 577-3976
