GroupGAP An alternative to individual certification

About

The "GroupGAP" concept speaks to a group of partners working together to achieve a collective Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification. Partners can be farmers, buyers, distributors, food hubs, local non-profits, etc. This model allows a group to provide internal verification that its members are meeting GAP standards by performing internal inspections. These activities are managed through a Quality Management System (QMS). The USDA then audits a statistical sample of the members, and also audits the group’s QMS. If the sample is good and the system is approved, this provides the USDA enough confidence to issue a group certification. As growers expand their business and desire to enter institutional markets, GAP certification or other type of food safety verification is typically required, but may be a pricey challenge for small to mid-sized diversified growers.

Why GroupGAP?

Partners

Most things in life are better when done as a collaborative effort. In GroupGAP, only a sample of members go through a USDA audit and the cost burden is shared by the group. Therefore, this method of food safety verification has the potential to be more cost-effective than an individual certification. The real benefit, however, comes from the interactions with the group, the sharing of knowledge and experience and the technical assistance available to each member by their participation. Rather than striving to comply with a baseline standard, the members of the group may learn from each other and continuously improve their compliance.

GroupGAP in Michigan

Based on several years of food safety training and support of farmers to access wholesale institutional markets, the U.P. Food Exchange – a partnership between the Marquette Food Co-op and Michigan State University Extension with support from the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department and food hub – was noticed by the Wallace Center in 2013 and the USDA for its unique geographical location and support. Michigan's Upper Peninsula includes 1/3 of the land mass in Michigan but only 300,000 of its 9.8 million residents. This remote region is known for its hay and potato production well as dairy farming. In recent years there has been an increase in the number of diversified vegetable farms coming on the scene from young farmers starting out to retired people beginning a second career. The direct to consumer market has, up until 2013, also been the primary outlet for these farms. This is changing as institutional demand for local food increases and these farmers see the value in selling beyond direct to consumer. To gain entry to the wholesale institutional market, these small-scale, diversified farms must address issues such as food safety that can otherwise be a barrier to them. Therefore, with funding from the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant program and W.K. Kellogg Foundation as well as support from Michigan Integrated Food and Farming Systems, Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems, Marquette Food Cooperative, Cherry Capital Foods, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Wallace Center at Winrock International, the 2014 pilot was born and documented by One-Community Consulting.

2014 Pilot Findings

This pilot study confirmed that GAP certification can meet group needs at an affordable cost for small and very small farms. While there is not a direct farm or GroupGAP audit pricing comparison, had each participating farm been individually audited, the total price of certification would be significantly higher than the total $492 per-farm cost. Direct costs to each farm for individual certification can be estimated based on mileage and the hourly rate of inspection that necessitates a USDA inspector to drive to and tour each farm. For this project, that cost of USDA staff time and resources was significantly reduced. Including a QMS audit and the costs of four farms inspected, it is estimated that individual farm savings through GroupGAP certification versus individual certification was about $700. This becomes significant when compared to small farmers' profit margin.

2016 Pilot (underway)

Based on the 2014 findings, Prima Civitas applied for further funding through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant program to support another pilot round concentrated on Mid-Michigan. In partnership with Allen Market Place food hub and Cherry Capital, Prima Civitas is working locally to support nine tri-county farms to complete GroupGAP certification. As of spring 2016, seven farms are continuing forward having participated in food safety training and QMS development. Additionally, two internal auditors are ready to begin inspections. More information will shortly follow documenting their journey.