Farm Food Safety
What are Good Agricultural Practices?
Good Agricultural Practices or "GAPs" are ways that produce growers can prevent on-farm contamination of fruits and vegetables.
How does my farm compare with national GAP standards?
Self-checklist for evaluating your readiness for a Harmonized GAP audit.
Use this form if you only grow and harvest your crop. It includes questions found in the General Section, Part 1 (Farm Review), and Part 2 (Field Harvest and Field Packing Activities).
This is a longer version that can be used by growers, packers, shippers, warehouses, and distribution centers.
This is the website for the USDA GAP audit verification program. You can get a copy of the inspection form and search for farms that have already passed the audit.
How do I write a food safety plan?
Fill out the forms, complete the checklists, and write down your policies. Print out or type in your information.
The policy and procedures suggestions in this document will help you to complete your food safety plan. Remember... What you write in your plan must be an accurate reflection of your practices.
Use these to document your farm food safety practices.
These documents provide more insight and interpretation into USDA's thinking about each question in the GAP audit.
Where can I get help?
If you have been asked to submit to a third party farm inspection, help is available.
- Penn State Extension offers GAP workshops, materials you can use to train your workers, and guidance on interpreting GAP standards.
Fall and Winter workshops will be announced on this site.
- The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) in association with USDA offers a voluntary Good Agricultural and Handling Practices third party inspection program. Learn more by visiting their web site at or by contacting:
Brenda Schaffer
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services
Phone: 717-787-4315
- Businesses or individuals may receive up to $400 per year to reimburse the costs of a successful initial PDA/USDA GAP audit.
Learn more about GAP audit cost share reimbursement program by contacting:
Jared Grissinger
Phone 717-705-9513
Email: jgrissinge@state.pa.us
PA Department of Ag GAP/GHP Program web site
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