JANICE K. BREWER
DONALD BUTLER
Governor
Director
Arizona Department of Agriculture
1688 W. Adams Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85007
(602) 542-0137 FAX (602) 364-0830
Dear GHP/GAP Audit Participant:
This letter is to notify you of the Agricultural Consultation and Training GHP/GAP Certification
Cost-Share Program. Qualified applicants may receive 75 % or up to a maximum of $750 per
year to cover the costs of one successful USDA Good Handling Practices (GHP) and Good
Agricultural Practices (GAP) audit. Participation in the USDA GHP/GAP audit program is
voluntary. The cost share program is designed to help defray some of the costs related to a
successful audit.
A business/individual is eligible to apply for reimbursement as soon as their USDA GHP/GAP
audit has been approved. Applicants must fully complete the necessary application and be able to
show verification of audit approval. Qualified applicants may only receive funding for one
successful audit per Federal Fiscal Year (FFY). To qualify for reimbursement, applicants must
have successfully completed an approved USDA audit on or between October 1, 2010 and
September 30, 2011. Reimbursements will not be given for costs associated with a failed audit.
Applications are accepted and approved on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reimbursements will
cover 75% all costs associated with one successful USDA GHP/GAP audit, up to a maximum of
$750. Costs exceeding $750 are not eligible for reimbursement. It is recommended that potential
applicants apply for this funding as soon as their audit is approved and payment is verified. In
the event of limited funds available, preference will be given to complete applications
received with the earliest approval date.
The forms attached are also available on-line at: www.azda.gov/ACT/SCBGP.htm. If you have
questions regarding this cost-share program, please do not hesitate to contact the GHP/GAP
Cost-Share Program Coordinator, Lisa James, at 602-542-3262 or ljames@azda.gov.
Sincerely,
Brett E. Cameron
Assistant Director
Agricultural Consultation & Training
www.azda.gov
Arizona GHP/GAP Cost-Share Program
Rev. 09/2010
Agricultural Consultation and Training
Arizona GHP/GAP Certification Cost Share Application
To be eligible for reimbursement the operation must have received Good Handling Practices (GHP) and Good Agricultural
Practices (GAP) certification on or between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011 . The amount of
reimbursement is 75% of certification costs (maximum of $750).
PRODUCER/HANDLER IDENTIFICATION
First Name and/or Company Name
M.I.
Last Name
Address
City
County
State
Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Zip Code
Did the Applicant participate in GHP/GAP
training?
YES
Phone Number
Fax Number
NO
Email Address
GHP/GAP AUDIT INFORMATION
Name of Auditor
Auditor Duty Station
Date Audit Completed
Audit Certification Number
Total Amount of Fees Paid for Certification
Date Fees Paid
$
NOTE: You must attach a copy of your certification, billing, and proof of payment to your
application.
SIGNATURE
Certification by Producer:
I certify that the above information is true and correct, and the operation stated above received GHP/GAP certification
on or between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011.
Notice of Penalties: Penalty for knowingly making false statements or false entries, or attempts to secure
money through fraudulent means, may include fines and/or incarceration and/or forfeiture of agriculture
assistance funds under applicable federal and state law.
Date
Certified Operations Signature
Mail Application and Supporting
Documents To:
Arizona Department of Agriculture
SCBGP - GHP/GAP
Cost Share Reimbursement
1688 West Adams Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Month
/
Day
/
For Official Use Only
Application Number
□75% =
Approved By
Reimbursable Costs From Invoice
□
$
Date
$750
Year
COMMONLY ASKED OUESTIONS ABOUT THE GHP/GAP AUDIT:
Where can I obtain a copy of the “Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safe4y Hazards for Fresh Fruits
and Vegetables”?
Copies are available by contacting the Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Initiative Staff at
(301) 436-2428 or http://www.fda.gov.
Is additional information available so I can learn more?
Yes. There is a growers guide entitled “Food Safety Begins on The Farm” complied by the National GAP
Program. To order the guide, visit the following website: http://www.gaps.cornell.edu. In addition,
contact your local State University Cooperative Extension Educator’s office for specific information on
local practices, outreach and educational opportunities.
How will my customers know that my company has met the requirements of the program?
With the participant’s permission, passing audit results are posted on USDA’s website and are accessible
by you and your customers. In addition, organizations with passing results are acknowledged with an
official USDA certificate verifying that the organization passed the applicable elements of the audit.
Who performs the audits?
Audits are performed by trained Federal and Federal-State Inspection Service staff. Auditors are licensed
fresh fruit and vegetable inspectors, and are trained in the technical specifications of the GHP/GAP Audit
Verification Program. AMS has worked with the States to develop the program, and with AMS’
involvement and oversight to ensure program integrity, uniformity, and consistency nationwide.
What is a “passing score” on an audit?
A score of eighty percent (80%) per element is passing. However, a higher “passing” percentage may be
applied based on the customer’s specifications. In addition to the individual elements of the audit, the
questions in the “General Questions” section must be passed by the participant. Audit results are valid
for 1 year.
What will I be audited against?
Audits are based on questions derived from the FDA guidance document. They are not intended to
require certain activities, only to determine if a participant is adhering to generally accepted practices.
Questions are separated into the following categories:
• General (including personnel hygiene and practices)
• Farm Review
• Field Harvesting and Field Packing Activities
• Packing House Facility
• Storage and Transportation
• Wholesale Distribution Center/Terminal Warehouses
• Preventive Food Defense Procedures
The FDA guidance document identifies the following areas that participants should demonstrate control
of in their operations to minimize microbial hazards in fresh fruits and vegetables:
• Water
• Manure and Municipal Bio-Solids
• Worker Health and Hygiene
• Sanitary Facilities
• Field Sanitation
• Packing Facility Sanitation
• Transportation
• Trace back
Information listed here was obtained from the USDA Ag Marketing Services website. To find this and
more information, please visit http://www.ams.usda.gov/gapghp
Passing audit verification results do not guarantee “safe” food. The purpose of the Federal-State
Inspection Service’s Audit Verification Program is to demonstrate that the participating company was
adhering to generally recognized Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling Practices when the
audit was performed. This is a voluntary program established to attest to the participant’s adherence to
the Food and Drug Administration’s “Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits
and Vegetables,” and does not guarantee a safe product.