Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)

GAPs is a voluntary program that verifies the safe growing, handling, packing, and/or holding of produce. Produce growers must participate in a food safety or safe food handling program with annual on-site audits such as the USDA Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) or Good Handling Practices (GHP) certification (or another third-party food handling practices program with annual audits deemed GAPs- or GHP equivalent by the Commissioner) for admission into the New York State Grown & Certified program. The steps needed to become GAPs-certified include:

1. Attend a GAPs training (optional, but recommended);
2. Develop a farm food safety plan;
3. Implement practices and acquire documentation; and
4. Complete a third-party audit program.

GAPs Related Links:

• Learn more about GAPs and how to become GAPs Certified.
• Brochure on GAPs (includes information on the GAPs Reimbursement Program)
• Upcoming GAPs Trainings-
  1. List of upcoming trainings in New York State
  2. Produce Safety Alliance Grower Trainings (includes domestic and international trainings)
• Additional GAPs Resources and Programming-
  • National
    1. National Good Agricultural Practices Program
    2. Produce Safety Alliance
    3. USDA Good Agriculture Practices and Good Handling Practices
  • New York State (search for your county and region)
    • Cornell Cooperative Extension Local Offices Directory
    • Cornell Cooperative Extension Regional Agricultural Teams
    • Cornell Maple Program: Sugar Maple Research & Extension