Self Audit Resources
These resources are provided during the GAP Training Class and are available here for your convenience
General Information
Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) October, 1998
Reduce Microbial Contamination with Good Agricultural Practices (pdf) Pamphlet with basic information on GAP best practices from Cornell University
Key Points of Control and Management of Microbial Food Safety for Growers, Packers, and Handlers of Fresh-Consumed Horticultural Products (pdf)
Pamphlet with basic information on GAP University of California - Davis
Review of Specific Standards
With there being no federal or state GAP regulations there is sometimes difficulty on what exact standards should be met. This chart summarizes the guidelines published by a number of varying entities. This should give producers an idea of some specific standards that are in use in the industry.
The Appendix expands the information in the chart, and the accompanying Narrative offers background information. Consult with your auditor on what specifc standards apply.
Farm Safety Manual
Once you have completed the GAP training and reviewed your farm operation the next step is to create a Farm Safety Manual. This manual explains your farm operation in detail and is utilized by the farmer and the auditor. No two manuals will be alike as every farm operation is different.
USDA Sample Farm Safety Manual
The Standard Operating Procedures as shown in the sample Farm Safety Plan, referenced above, can be accomplished online by utilizing a resource created by Primus Labs. Primus Labs, a third party auditor, has available on their website a “Food Safety Manual Development Program“ free of charge that helps producers write the food safety manual.
An additional resource is from Penn State is a farm safety plan template and a GAP manual for growers.
North Carolina State University has developed an excellent resource for constructing a manual in Word and in pdf.
They also publish the NC Fresh Produce Safety Blog that would be of interest to most growers
Auditor Specifc Checklists and Guidelines
The completed manual should address the areas that are scored by an auditor. As a producer creates the farm manual they should refernce the checklists or guidelines of their specific auditor; each auditor currently creates their own standards.
Primus has their checklists and guidelines available here
NSF-Agriculture {formerly NSF-Davis Fresh}has their audit criteria and documents available here
USDA has its checklist available here.
Other auditing companies exist and they can provide the specifc guidelines, checklists, and criteria.
Signage
One component of GAP is the need to post signs relating to hygiene, first aid, etc. These items can be purchased, but there are also numerous free resources available, or you can make your own.
New Mexico State University has available for download a PowerPoint Presentation with numerous signs that can be printed.
Record keeping
Farmers face the task of keeping adequate records to show that they are following the practices they established in their farm safety manual. To that end, there are examples of record sheets in the Michigan State, and University of Minnesota resources; there are additional examples online. Growers may also create their own records templates to use in their operation just be certain to include a sample in the farm safety manual.
Translation
If there is a need to translate any materials, resources are available through the KDA.
Other Resources
Cornell has numerous GAP materials for sale including training DVDs, signs, and other resources.
For more information, or questions, please contact:GAP Resources Program
Josh Lindau, Produce Marketing Specialist
111 Corporate Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601
Office (502) 782-4115