1

Produce Safety University:Take-Home Training

for Professional Standards

Buying Smart, Buying Safe

2

Objectives

At the end of this training session, participants will be able to:1. Identify differences among produce vendor

options.2. Understand types of liability insurance.3. Describe purchasing specifications for fresh

produce that result in obtaining desired products.

3

Buying Safe

• Safe produce supply chains• You can’t improve food safety later for fresh

produce

Safety First

Broadline Distributor

Produce Distributor

Produce Cooperative

Direct from FarmSchool Garden

4

Broadline Distributors and Produce Distributors

• Provide variety and year-round availability• Require food safety practices of grower(s) • Maintain internal food safety program(s)• Consider or already purchase local produce

5

Produce Cooperatives• Offer greater variety and amounts of products

from multiple farms• Reduce need for multiple transactions with

streamlined ordering, receiving and billing• Evaluate food safety practices from all sources• Address traceability to avoid commingling

6

Direct From Farm

• Buy with the seasons• Develop flexible menus with creative recipes• Promote use of local foods • Advertise that menus are subject to change

7

Direct From Farm• Things to consider:– Communicate/negotiate pricing and payment terms– Multiple orders, deliveries, and invoices

• Obtain food safety quality assurances- GAPs certification- Grower training about GAPs- Document Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)- Farm Visit

8

Liability Insurance

• Food product liability• General farm liability

9

Formal and Informal Purchasing

“A good procurement is a competitive procurement”— this goes for local purchases, too!

• Write clear and detailed specifications to:–Communicate what you want and how packed–Provide consistency from supplier to supplier

• Provide estimated amount to be purchased

10

Formal and Informal Purchasing

Purchasing Local Foods for Use in Federal School Nutrition Programs

• USDA Farm to School Program Procurement Guide

11

Specifications

Apples

12

Specifications

Apples

Price per case: $15.00

13

Specifications

Apples, include name of variety here, 40 lb. case, 125 count, quantity to be

purchased during bid period: 200 cases

14

Specifications

Apples, include name of variety here, 40 lb. case, 125 count, quantity to be

purchased during bid period: 200 cases

Price per case: $13.00

15

Specifications

Apples, McIntosh, 40 lb. case, 125 count, U.S. Extra

Fancy or U.S. Fancy only, quantity to be purchased during bid period: 200

Specifications

16

U.S. Extra Fancy- $26.00 U.S. Fancy- $19.00**Source: AMS Market News Custom Average Tool Report

17

Specifications

Specifications

18

U.S. No. 1$34.00

U.S. Fancy$41.00

U.S. Extra Fancy$48.00 per case*

*Source: AMS Market News Custom Average Tool Report

19

Complete Purchase

• Inspect the delivery vehicle• Take and record temperatures• Receive or take action (accept or

reject)• Safely store, handle, and serve

20

Other Bid Considerations

• Climate controlled trucks for delivery• GAP/GHP certification of sources• Vendor HACCP plan• Definition of local• Identify number of days from harvest to

delivery• Product traceability documentation

21

Traceability

Farm

CO-OPS Distributor

School

Produce Distributor

22

Traceability

Farm

CO-OPS Distributor

School

Produce Distributor

23

Traceability Best Practices for School Nutrition Operations• Purchasing records• Receiving and storing (avoid commingling)• Tracking internal distribution• Documenting service of fresh produce• Conducting mock recalls

24

Traceability Conducting Mock Recall of Produce in a School Nutrition Operation• http://nfsmi.org/documentlibraryfiles/PDF/

20130726045907.pdf

25

Thank you for participating!