GAPS: Fruit and Vegetable Safety

Good Agricultural Practices: Fruit and Vegetable Safety

 Food Safety begins on the farm, or in your home garden. Whether you are a grower or a consumer, you want fresh produce that is high quality, nutritious, and safe to eat. The resources on this page for Consumers, Growers, or Home Gardeners will help you achieve that goal.

For Consumers

• Help Keep Your Family Safe by Washing Fresh Produce (UWEX fact sheet)
• Fruit and Vegetable Safety (Texas A&M)
  The Latest in Research and Education

Consumer Health

• Fruits and Veggies – More Matters
• How many fruits and vegetables do you need?
• Nutrition.gov

Food Safety for Consumers

• Safe Handling of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
  (also available in Spanish)
• Safe Storage of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
  (also availabe in Spanish)
• Washing Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
  (also available in Spanish)
• Does Washing Promote Food Safety?

For Growers

• National Good Agricultural Practices Network (Cornell University)
  This comprehensive web site is designed for growers interested in worker training and education.
• Fresh Produce Audit Verification Program (USDA)
• Guide to Minimize Hazards of Fresh Cut Fruits and Vegetables
• The Art and Science of Composting
  A Resource for Farmers and Compost Producers

For Home Gardeners

• Home Composting 101: Reap a heap of benefits.
  Make the most of your composting efforts and ensure that what you are doing is safe.
• Wisconsin Master Gardener Program
• Safely Using Manure in the Garden
  by Steve Ingham, UW-Madison, Dept. of Food Science
• Wisconsin Safe Home Food Preservation bulletins