This Farmer’s Handbook for the USDA Harmonized GAP Standard is intended to assist small and mid-scale produce operations in preparing to meet the requirements of that audit, and so improve their opportunities to access markets for fruits and vegetables. The Handbook was developed based on challenge areas small and medium-scale produce operations have consistently encountered in meeting the requirements of the FSMA-aligned USDA HGAP audit.
As a companion to this Handbook, the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association provides templates for conducting key risk assessments and for keeping certain critical records.
Development of the Handbook was coordinated by the Initiative for Food and AgriCultural Transformation (InFACT) of the Ohio State University and funded through a cooperative agreement with the Agricultural Marketing Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA AMS).
Record Keeping
All files are .docx and may download open clicking the links.
- Visitor Sign-In Record
- Product Washing_Hydro-Cooling_Recirculating Water Treatment and Monitoring Record
- Preventive Maintenance and Sanitation Schedule Record
- Pest and Rodent Control Record
- Notice of Unusual Occurrence and Corrective Actions Form
- Mock Recall Record
- Water Source Testing Record
Risk Assessment
All files are .docx and may download open clicking the links.