Visit our Events page to register for our upcoming Post Harvest Handling virtual and on-farm workshops in June!

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Resources

Produce Safety Resources

Many produce safety tools, templates, videos, webinars, and informational resources are available online.  The resource links and templates we have assembled here are just a selection and come from our own work and the efforts of educators across the US. They do not represent everything available to you, and we encourage you to do your own research and find what makes sense to you since every farm has unique circumstances. The tools we provide can help you get organized to comply with the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and build a food safety plan.

If you need help understanding compliance with the Produce Safety Rule or writing a food safety plan for GAP certification, our produce safety educators can assist you.

Produce Safety Toolkits

We have organized the information into several folders we are calling toolkits. 

Each toolkit has links to fact sheets, informational videos and webinars, and other useful websites that can help you to identify produce safety hazards and learn about best practices to reduce risk.

The toolkits contain downloadable templates for Risk Assessments, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Logs.

Risk Assessments

Help you identify the produce safety hazards in your operations, decide how likely they will occur, and think through what you can do to reduce these risks. Help you understand where you need to focus your attention and resources.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Describe how you will reduce the risk of a safety hazard and/or what you will do if a problem occurs or is discovered

Logs

Records that a procedure is getting done.

Our Toolkits

If you need help, contact us.

Agricultural Water

Agricultural Water

Tools to help you evaluate your water sources and delivery systems for produce safety and practical strategies to reduce risk. Best practices for post-harvest water use.

Cleaning and Sanitation - Harvest and Post-Harvest

Cleaning and Sanitation - Harvest and Post-Harvest

Tools, tips, and best practices for sanitation on the farm – what should be cleaned and sanitized, methods for washing produce, and how to use sanitizer safely.

Land Use, Animals & Manure

Land Use, Animals & Manure

Understanding and assessing risks from wildlife, livestock, and manure, and how you use the land you grow on.

Worker Training, Health and Hygiene, Handwashing

Worker Training, Health and Hygiene, Handwashing

Delve into the why, what, and how of food safety training – who should know and what you need to teach them.

Post-Harvest Handling for Quality & Shelf-Life

Post-Harvest Handling for Quality & Shelf-Life

Tools, tips, and best practices for produce handling to get consistently high quality and optimal shelf life.

Traceabililty & Recall

Traceabililty & Recall

What it means to trace produce from field to customer and why it matters. What you need to manage a recall.

Guides to Produce Safety Rule & Food Safety Plan Writing

Guides to Produce Safety Rule & Food Safety Plan Writing

In-depth guides to all things produce safety and how to write a Harmonized GAP food safety plan.

What are people saying about us?

  • I can't begin to express how thankful I am for the assistance I received from Chesapeake Harvest in helping me pursue GAP certification. In particular, Lindsay and Elizabeth were a pleasure to work with. Not only are they both wonderful human beings, but their knowledge and expertise were extremely valuable in helping me construct my food safety plan. Without their assistance, I don't know how else I would have been able to navigate through all the food safety standards and requirements and create a comprehensive plan on my own. Before working with them, I had been a little overwhelmed by the enormity of the task, but they were extremely organized and efficient throughout the process. I found everything valuable, from our initial walk-thru risk assessment on my farm, to each of the online planning and writing sessions. They also supplied me with all of the templates and resource documents I need for my farm, and I am confident that I now have the knowledge and tools to maintain a Harmonized GAP-compliant food safety program on my farm.

    Thelonius Cook | Mighty Thundercloud Edible Forest Farm | Birds Nest, VA