CAPS Community Accreditation for Produce Safety If you buy from - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
CAPS Community Accreditation for Produce Safety If you buy from CAPS buys you LOCAL FARMS ASSURANCE And shows you CARE about the Freshness, Quality and Safety of your Fruits and Contact Hans Estrin, hestrin@uvm.edu, 802 380 2109
If you buy from
Community Accreditation for Produce Safety
…about the Freshness,
Contact Hans Estrin, hestrin@uvm.edu, 802 380 2109
Wh What t is CAPS PS? Wh Why Should
Buyer ers Sup upport port CAPS? PS? How w ca can n Bu Buyer ers Sup upport port CAPS PS?
CAPS is a voluntary, non-regulatory program
and Berry Growers Association (VVBGA). CAPS helps farmers plan and document 18 accepted practices that reduce food safety risks associated with fresh produce. CAPS Review team grants certificates to farms who’s uploaded plans and evidence verifying use of all 18 accepted food safety practices. CAPS was co-crafted by growers, regulators and service providers to grow with smaller diversified produce farms.
CAPS shows that farms are minimizing risk and complying with the intent of FSMA, the Food Safety Modernization Act. Buyers can view the folders of CAPS farms, including their produce safety plans, photos, procedures, water tests, and certificate. CAPS is affordable and scales to meet the needs of small to large farms. CAPS has broad-based support from growers, buyers and state agencies. Supporting CAPS shows customers you care about the quality, freshness and food safety
Ask supplying farms if they have a produce safety plan, or a CAPS certificate. Encourage or request that supplying farms participate in CAPS at one of three tiers. Support CAPS financially, and receive recognition, if desired, though the VVBGA.
The season at a glance:
CAPS plans.
42% from 2016.
program and earned a CAPS certificate. Where are e CAPS S Farms Fr From?
plus Badge, selling over $100K to Hannaford Supermarkets alone.
“ CAPS prompted us to eliminate our well contamination. This was very important because we serve a large elderly population, with vulnerable immune systems” “CAPS helped us get on our food safety game with minimum fuss, but big improvements to
system makes it easy to show buyers we have a credible food safe production approach. This for only $100 - amazing!” “[CAPS] was very accessible and helped our farm become safer, healthier, and more
very comfortable and I felt well supported throughout.” “Keeping farmers on board is like herding
the CAPS coordinator keeping us on tasks and making sure we complete the program.”
Three tiers of CAPS What farms get Cost for Farm Designed for CAPS Pla lan
Farm Folder, Produce Safety Plan and Share Page access (self-serve, takes only 2-4 hrs!)
Free!
Entry tier for all growers! Enough for direct-market retail (e.g. CSA, Farmers Market, Farm Stand)
CAPS Certificate
Farm folder and CAPS Certificate includes third- party on-line review and revision of all CAPS documents
$100
For direct-market wholesale (e.g. Institutions, Co-ops, Restaurants)
CAPS-Plus Certificate
CAPS Certificate plus on- farm 3-rd party verification by VT Agency
$300+
For larger wholesale markets and distributers.
Coordination From University Of Vermont
EXTENSION
Funding and Support From:
USDA/NIFA--This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2015-49200-24225
Farm Maps! Labels and Containers plan!
Cold Storage Plan! Employee Training