Project Overview
The risk of food contamination is a challenge for today’s fresh fruit producers and is front page news. Thirty-one percent of fresh cranberries in the USA are produced in Massachusetts by 133 growers. Over 70% operate on fewer than 20 acres each. Many growers contract with handlers to sell their products and 27% of all cranberry sales are exports. Based on recent US consumer demands, handlers have said that "all growers will need to be GAP educated” (Good Agricultural Practices) and document how they handle food safely. Furthermore, international customers expect produce to meet food safety standards like EurepGAP. USDA and FDA are moving toward mandated standards. The market is dwindling, pressure is rising; growers need training.
CCCGA held workshops and on-site demonstrations on implementing GAP standards for cranberry growers. Growers were taught how to self-assess their operations and create GAP plans. We reached almost 100 growers initially and expect about 50 to move forward.
Number of Participants: 97
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
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EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
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REPORTS & EVALUATIONS
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