According to the United States Department of Agriculture, “Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP) are voluntary audits that verify that fruits and vegetables are produced, packed, handled, and stored as safely as possible to minimize risks of microbial food safety hazards.”

GAP & GHP audits may be required by a distributor, wholesaler, school nutrition program or other buyer of fresh produce.  These audits are voluntary and conducted at the request of the farmer.  For more information see the resources below.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has information on Good Agricultural Practices, including information on GAP audit services. You can find Information on program updates and audit services on the USDA GAP Audits website.

The NCDA&CS Grading Service can conduct a USDA GAP audit at the request of farmers. You can find more information on these audits on the NCDA&CS Cooperative Grading Service website.

Cornell has resources for growers, packers, farm workers, teachers and others about the National Good Agricultural Practices Program. Resources include an online course, trainings, educational materials including high school curriculum. You can find these resources on the Cornell National Good Agricultural Practices Program website.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension has information on Good Agricultural Practices principles and creating food safety plans for farms. This information can be found on the NC State Extension GAPs Information website.

Prior to the creation of the USDA Harmonized GAP program, farmers often had to complete multiple audits to meet requests of buyers.  The goal of harmonized GAP is the creation of one audit, that if performed by a credited third party, is acceptable to all buyers. Information on this program can be found on the USDA Harmonized GAP Audit Program website.

GroupGAP is a USDA food safety certification program designed for small and mid-size farmers.  It allows farmers, food hubs other groups to work together to get GAP certified as a group.  The group shares in the cost of certification. More information can be found on the USDA GroupGAP Food Safety Program website.

The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association has worked with farmers and many organizations to help overcome the barriers that small farms have in attaining food safety certification. The goal of the GAP Fundamentals of On-Farm Food Safety Manual and video series is to share tips and strategies learned from small, diversified farms as they went through the process of obtaining GAP certification. The manual and videos can be found on the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association website.