Attention to food safety can open doors

Audits for food safety cost between $300 to $400 for farms

By STEVE BROWN

Capital Press

PUYALLUP, Wash. -- Farmers interested in providing food to schools and other institutions got a look at what's required for Good Agricultural Practices certification during a farm walk July 26.

Tricia Kovacs, Farm-to-School Program manager for the Washington State Department of Agriculture, said adherence to GAP is not mandatory statewide, "but some schools require third-party audits or certification," she said.

Besides training food producers, she said, her program also trains school food nutrition directors about what to expect with direct-purchasing relationships.

"Food buyers don't know what to ask you, so GAP provides that third party," she said.

GAP auditor Chuck Dragoo explained the purpose of GAP: "The audit shows the applicant has procedures established to minimize the risk of microbial contamination. ... The audit doesn't guarantee safe food, but it shows the grower or the retailer has the measures in place."

Dragoo said many of the practices audited are just common sense.

"You'll find that you're already doing a lot of what is required. You're just not documenting it," he told the farmers.

WSU soil scientist Andy Bary led the tour -- co-sponsored by Tilth Producers and the WSU Small Farms Program -- through part of the organic farm at Puyallup Extension. He pointed out practices in irrigation, harvesting, food handling, worker hygiene, sanitation, packing and transportation that are addressed by GAP.

"Look through the requirements and find out what sections you have to do," Bary said. "Start working on necessary corrections during the winter, right after harvest, so you can work on it in small increments."

Dragoo said the initial GAP audit is requested by the applicant. The audit -- good for one calendar year -- must occur during harvest, he said, and that initial one is scheduled. Subsequent audits are unannounced. "Those audits come more frequently if you have multiple commodities or mixed harvesting schedules."

Because the GAP program is not funded by the state's general fund, fees are charged to cover the costs. Those run $75 per hour per auditor plus travel costs, which are $75 per hour plus 50 cents per mile, plus administrative costs.

"A normal audit probably runs around $300 to $400," he said. "Farmers in the same area can request audits to minimize those travel costs."

It's up to the farmer to enforce the practices agreed to. That can be problematic in a U-pick operation, Dragoo said. He recommended informing the visitors of the rules before they enter the field and correcting them as necessary.

Dogs on the farm? Dragoo said GAP requires there be measures in place to minimize wild or domestic animals entering the field.

"If the dog stays in the back of the truck, as an auditor that wouldn't bother me. But if I see a practice that endangers the food supply, the audit stops immediately."

Common sense also applies to the auditor, he said. "Nothing is perfect unless you can grow your crops in a bubble."