This Harmonized GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) mock audit is designed to show specialty crop growers how to assess food safety risks in their operations, and explain what to expect during a third-party Harmonized GAP audit.
During this on-farm mock audit, Brenda Sheaffer from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will guide you through the assessments necessary to pass a Harmonized GAP audit. Topics covered will include establishing record-keeping systems; standard operating procedures for produce harvesting and processing; and designing processing and packing facilities to meet food safety standards. We will also tour Who Cooks For You Farm’s post-harvest and storage facilities as we conduct a mock audit for the farm.
GAP certification is currently required under the Food Safety Modernization Act for agricultural operations at a specific scale. Increasingly, however, access to certain markets—particularly wholesale markets—can be impeded without GAP certification, regardless of the size of the farm operation. This mock audit is a highly valuable opportunity for farmers who are interested in GAP certification to observe a simulation of the audit process. It’s also valuable for agriculture service professionals, as well as industry representatives, to gain insight into certification requirements.
Brenda Sheaffer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Fruit/Vegetable – Ag Commodity Program Supervisor: Brenda has worked with numerous farms on their Harmonized GAP inspections and certifications, and related food safety regimens.
Take a look at our frequently asked questions about our workshops and events. Otherwise, please contact this event’s coordinator, Dan Dalton, by email at dan@pasafarming.org or by phone at 814.349.9856.
We’re offering four Harmonized GAP mock audits this spring:
March 3 | Who Cooks for You Farm [Armstrong County]
March 4 | Vanco Family Farm [Erie County]
March 17 | Braddock Farms [Allegheny County]
March 25 | Old Tin Roof Farm [Westmoreland County]