Food Safety on the Farm

Our family farm is committed to growing wholesome vegetables and herbs in accordance to federal and state food safety guidelines. All employees participate in the food safety training program provided by the University of Florida. In addition, the farm undergoes third-party audits and routine inspections to insure proper handling as well as field sanitation. Our Family Farm’s 10,000 square-foot packinghouse is certified by the Florida Department of Agriculture. Potential buyers, current customers and chefs are always welcome to tour the packinghouse and greenhouses.

What does it truly mean to practice sustainable agriculture?

What does it truly mean to practice sustainable agriculture? For decades our family farm has practiced integrated pest management to decrease its usage of pesticides. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common sense practices. IPM programs use comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction within the environment.

This information is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property and the environment.

• In our greenhouses we normally use traps and natural predators as a means of controlling bugs such as leaf miners and aphids. Sometimes when insect pressure is too high we use various organic sprays or other green chemistry (www.epa.gov/greenchemistry).


• The farm also grows the right crop in the right places, reducing its dependence on fertilizers and water. Microjet irrigation in the tomato greenhouses means that more water is conserved. In our herb and lettuce greenhouses a closed irrigation system is used which means the water is recycled and used over and over again.


• During the summer months we hand-weed our outdoor vegetable block lines, apply a Hydra-Hume DG™to build friendly microorganisms in the soil and then cover the mixture with clear plastic mulch using solarization to sterilize the soil. Furthermore, before planting we apply Perdue™ organic chicken fertilizer, cover the growing area with silver plastic mulch to help deter white flies and other insects during growing season and water with drip irrigation.

GAP is voluntary guidelines to insure a clean and safe working environment for all employees. These guidelines or practices also assist in eliminating the potential for contamination of food products. Modeled after the FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), this program uses Primus labs format and third-party auditors. GAP addresses the agricultural issues of site selection, adjacent land use, fertilizer usage, water sourcing and usage, pest control and pesticide monitoring, cooler operations, harvesting practices, worker hygiene, packaging storage, field sanitation and product transportation. GAP sanitation practices mandate use of extensive sanitation equipment (including gloves, aprons and hairnets), a meticulous cleaning schedule, minimizing human contact with fruit, and a strong emphasis on personal sanitation.
USDA also audits our farm annually. This USDA compliance is your guarantee that we are providing the safest, cleanest growing environment possible.