ALBANY — USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) and Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) have partnered in an effort to increase market access and reduce the risks fruit and vegetable producers face by helping them pay for buyer-required food safety certifications. Under the program, USDA will cover the costs of voluntary USDA Harmonized GAP and Harmonized GAP Plus+ audits. These audits verify that fruits and vegetables are produced, packed, handled and stored in the safest manner possible to minimize risks of food safety hazards.
For more information please visit:
- https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2018/12/04/usda-announces-37-million-financial-assistance-fruit-and-vegetable
- https://www.ams.usda.gov/publications/content/rma-ams-harmonized-gap-assistance-qa
- https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/auditing/gap-ghp/harmonized
Or reach out to one of the New York State contacts:
- Eastern Region – George Spohn
Phone: 518-457-2090
Fax: 518-485-8986
george.spohn@agriculture.ny.gov - West and Central Regions – Marty Farrell
Phone: 585-427-0200
Fax: 585-424-1248
marty.farrell@agriculture.ny.gov
For agricultural risk management and crop insurance resources please visit: https://agriskmanagement.cornell.edu
Cornell University delivers crop insurance education in New York State in partnership with the USDA, Risk Management Agency. This material is funded in partnership by USDA, Risk Management Agency, under award number RM18RMETS524C018
–Cornell University
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