GEBBERS WAY
FOOD SAFETY
Gebbers Farms’ dedicated Food Safety Department develops, implements, and maintains company-wide food safety standards, programs and procedures. All Gebbers Farms orchard and warehouse operations include GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) Certified Programs, and all are audited annually by third-party independent auditing firms. These GFSI programs include:
WAREHOUSE OPERATIONS
SQF Code, Edition 9 (Food Safety Program) certification
The Safe Quality Food (SQF) Code, Ed. 9 meets the needs of suppliers in the food industry through an internationally recognized certification system, featuring an emphasis on the systematic application of HACCP for control of food quality hazards as well as food safety. Implementing an SQF management system addresses a buyer’s food safety and quality requirements and provides the solution for businesses supplying local and global food markets.
The GAP/GHP Audit Verification Program in our Warehouses
Gebbers Farms follows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Good Agricultural Practices & Good Handling Practices (GAP&GHP) audit verification program. This voluntary program verifies that we have taken proactive measures to reduce the risk of contamination by adhering to generally recognized industry best practices. The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program performs our warehouse GAP/GHP audits. This includes auditing the House Packing Facility, Storage and Transportation, and Preventive Food Security elements of the GAP/GHP program.
ORCHARD OPERATIONS
GlobalG.A.P. Certification – Version 5.41 – Apples, Cherries, and Pears
The GlobalGap program is an on-farm food safety standard that covers the certification of the entire agricultural production process. Annual audits confirm the farm’s practices comply with Good Agricultural Practices as set forth in the GlobalG.A.P. standards. Both scheduled and unannounced audits are included in the program.
The GAP/GHP Audit Verification Program in our Orchards
Gebbers Farms also follows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Good Agricultural Practices & Good Handling Practices (GAP&GHP) audit verification program in our orchards. This program focuses on field operations and harvesting and reviews the farm’s food safety procedures for producing apples, pears, and cherries. The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) also performs orchard-focused GAP/GHP audits. Gebbers Farms also follows the Produce GAP’s Harmonized Food Safety Standards, a newer audit also performed by USDA or WSDA.
