Food safety is a hot topic these days. Recently, several outbreaks involving fresh produce have prompted consumer demand for more information and accountability about the food they eat. The national GAP/GHP (Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling Practices) Certification Program is one way for farmers to make sure the food they are producing is safe, and to communicate their commitment to safety to potential markets. This year, the state of North Carolina offers assistance to farmers interested in participating in the GAP program.

N. C. Good Agricultural Practices Certification Assistance Program

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services has developed the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Certification Assistance Program. This program will help North Carolina growers with financial support in obtaining a third party audit to verify they are following effective food safety practices.

Food safety has become an important marketing and health issue for the produce industry. Buyers are demanding assurances from growers that their produce is safe. It will become more difficult for growers to market their fruits and vegetables if they don’t have a GAP program in place to make sure their produce is free of contamination. The goal of this program is to increase the number of N.C. farmers following Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)/ Good Handling Practices (GHP) and using third party audits to verify their food safety program.

This is a cost share program designed to assist fruit and vegetable growers with the cost of a first time GAP/GHP audit. The NCDA & CS will pay up to $400 of the cost of having a successful third party audit to verify a farm’s food safety program. Funds will be paid to the auditor conducting the GAP/GHP audit to reduce the cost to the farmer by up to $400. Participating farmers will be responsible for paying the auditor for any balance due above $400.  Funding for this program comes from an USDA grant to the NCDA & CS. Funds are available on a first come first served basis until the funds are depleted.

 To be eligible for assistance, North Carolina fruit and vegetable growers must meet the following requirements:

-         Growers must successfully pass a third party audit from an approved government agency or company that verifies Good Agricultural Practices/Good Handling Practices.

 -         GAP/GHP audits can be for Farm Review, Field Harvest and Field Packing Activities, Packing House Facility, Storage and Transportation, and Traceback.

 -         Assistance is limited to growers that have a GAP/GHP audit for the first time during 2007.

  -    Submit an application form for approval to participate in this program to the NCDA&CS prior to 

       receiving the GAP/GHP audit.

For additional information or to request an application for this program, contact Ross Williams, 919-733-7887 or email Ross.F.Williams@ncmail.net.