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Produce Safety

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Fruit Tree Farm

Adjacent Land Use & Site Selection

Choosing a safe and suitable farm site is just as important to human health as it is to the health of your crop.
Several people wearing safety vests

Worker Health & Hygiene

Farm workers are the backbone of Washington agriculture, but they can also be a direct source of contamination.
Sprinklers irrigate a vegetable crop

Preharvest Agricultural Water

Water used in irrigation, fertigation, and crop spray application must be managed so that it is not a source of contamination.
Hands holding compost

Soil Amendments

Soil amendments can be a great source of nutrients, but they can also pose a food safety risk if they aren’t properly managed.
Sheep grazing in a vineyard

Wildlife & Domesticated Animals

Both wildlife and domesticated animals may be sources of contamination for the produce you’re growing on your farm.
Radishes passing under water sprays

Postharvest Water

The water used for washing hands, equipment, and produce poses a risk of contamination if there is not a system to manage it.
Gloved hand holding soapy scrub brush

Cleaning & Sanitation

Using proper cleaning and sanitation practices keeps produce safe.
Woman with hair net and gloves holding asparagus

Packinghouse Management

The risk of contamination by dangerous bacteria doesn't end when produce is harvested.
Man loading trays with vegetables into a pickup bed

Traceability & Transport

As your operation grows, tracing produce—from where it was grown to where it was sold—becomes increasingly important.
A farmer holding a paper and pen

Recordkeeping

Documentation is a must when it comes to effectively managing your farm’s food safety program.