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Welcome to Michigan Farm & Food Safety

More retail and wholesale buyers are now requiring food safety certification, which means that a grower selling to that buyer must complete a food safety audit, commonly known as a GAP (Good Agriculture Practices) audit. This process requires a grower’s time to implement the changes and keep records showing that food safety practices are maintained, plus the cost of the inspection to be GAP certified. If you’re looking for information on food safety, good agricultural and good handling practices, including third-party certification or GAPs, you’ve come to the right place. 

This site aims to offer growers with resources to successfully complete the process with resources to guide you along, including how to develop and implement a food safety manual and then completing an audit with a food safety certification inspector.

This site is a collection of resources and tools from partners all across Michigan and the country invested in food safety grower education.

USDA GAP Certification 

If you are a farmer looking to get USDA GAP Certified, follow this USDA Audit Verification Checklist. To pass with a GAP Certification, make sure you will be able to pass all tests with at least an 80%. 

Free Safe Food Risk Assessment  

If you are a farmer looking to assure safe food, without a USDA GAP Certification, use this Michigan’s Safe Food Risk Assessment - a voluntary and confidential food safety program for small, direct-market producers. 

The Food Safety Modernization Act - What Is It All About??

Vicki Morrone (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address))

The Food Safety Modernization Act was signed this past January 2012. Farmers across the United States became alerted that their farming practices may need to change and wonder WHAT does this all mean??? The purpose of this act is to reduce food safety risks across our food systems. It is creating a program for farmers to follow and verify that they are following safe food practices, from sourcing seeds and sowing to packaging or harvest if the farm does not pack their food.
 
The objective of the act is to identify farm management practices that can be implemented on a farm that are feasible (cost feasible and able to be implemented). The intent is to create a way for farmers to demonstrate that they are making every effort possible to produce safe food while still remain profitable.
 
Many farmers truly believe they ARE following safe practices but there just needs to be a few that are not to cause food illness outbreaks, causing hospitalization, chronic illnesses or even death. So FSMA not only identifies practices for a farm to maximize the safety of their food production but also how to maintain records to demonstrate that these actions are implemented accurately and uniformly. 
 
But you ask. How will this or will this even affect YOU??? If you sell direct to the consumer or are a farmer that is engaged in low or minimal risk farming then you will not likely be impacted by this act. The law contains potential exceptions for food grown and consumed at private residences such as family gardens. Likewise, smaller farms that sell directly to consumers can be exempt such as those that sell at farmers markets, have Community Supported Agriculture programs or farm stands. Last week I attended a Food Safety Alliance Meeting in Kalamazoo and heard from representatives from FDA and MDARD. I really believe they are working very hard to make the practices doable for all sized farms, even small farms who sell direct. Visit these links to get further details and updates as they become available.
 
Read the full text of the rule here - 

Food Safety Modernization Act 

Additional Documents from FDA FSMA 

FDA FSMA FAQ - Produce Safety Rule 
 
 

 

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Develop a Food Safety Plan

Developing a food safety plan for your farm and living it every day is the most important step toward making sure that the food you’re producing is safe to eat. A good plan includes soil and water testing, sanitation and worker hygiene, preharvest management, postharvest handling, and much more, and keeps the records for all of these practices. Find out more about how to develop your own farm’s plan, what it should include and how to implement it here, as well as finding resources and templates.

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Getting Food Safety Certified

Many retail and wholesale produce buyers are requiring their farmers to get food safety certified, but the process can be difficult to tackle. Chances are that you’re already practicing food safety on your farm, but having a food safety plan and keeping records are vital to getting that third-party certification. Find out steps you need to take to get certified, what kid of audits are available and who conducts them, and much more, here.

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