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GAP and GHP Workshops Tackle Grower Certification

February 2, 2009 - A new workshop series on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP) are reaching out to growers trying to tackle the supply chain, focusing on the steps and strategies to safely get fresh local product to regional grocery stores and the wholesale distributors that service them.

“These workshops are to help farmers understand certification standards and practices that wholesale and retail buyers are requiring to ensure safe food for their customers,” said Elaine Brown, Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS). “They are so important to growers who currently sell to these markets or are looking to take that step.”

These four workshops will take place on Feb. 18 at the Meijer Distribution Center in Newport, Feb. 19 at the Lapeer County Michigan State University Extension Office in Lapper, Feb. 25 at the Trevor Nichols Research Complex in Fennville and Feb. 26 at the Spartan Stores Distribution Center in Grand Rapidsfrom 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

The February 18 and 26 sessions will also feature optional tours of Meijer and Spartan Distribution Centers, respectively, to show growers what goes on behind the scenes after product arrives at their doors but before it makes its way to store shelves.

Warren King, who is the President of WellSpring Management in Oak Park, Ill. and has worked for years in various companies and capacities of the industry, including work as a Goodness Greenness buyer, will speak at each session and share his knowledge and experience. Third-party audits, the necessity of good practices, tips for completing GAP and GHP applications and the “Wholesale Success” manual are topics being discussed at each session.

In addition, industry representatives from groceries and distribution centers, like Meijer, Spartan Stores and Sysco, will share their retail perspective on the importance of good practices. Another local expert will be there to discuss the cost and fee structure of certification for growers who are looking to connect into this branch of the value chain.

There is no cost to attend, but the value is more than $100 per person and includes lunch and the “Wholesale Success: A Farmer’s Guide to Selling, Post-Harvest Handling and Packing Produce” Manual. FamilyFarmed.org developed this 174-page “Wholesale Success” manual to build the capacity of Midwest farmers to meet the burgeoning demand for local food. It features comprehensive sections on issues like building buyer relationships, food safety and calculating return on investment, along with 63 crop profiles with specific harvesting, cooling, storage and packing information on fruits and vegetables grown in the Midwest. FamilyFarmed.org is now working with farmer organizations such as the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, Michigan Food and Farming Systems, and the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture to distribute the manual and develop trainings for producers.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact the MIFFS office at (517) 432-0712 or miffs@msu.edu. A flyer is also available for viewing and download here...

Space is limited, so register early to save your spot as participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registration is required at least 3 days prior to the event to ensure adequate meals, materials and security clearance.

These workshops are funded in full or in part by a WIRED grant from the U.S. Department of Labor and the Michigan Department of Agriculture - Select Michigan Program. Other sponsors include: MIFFS, the Michigan State University Product Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University Extension and the Starting Block, Inc. regional kitchen incubator.

See Presentations, Tools and Resources from these workshops...