Apples
Reducing Food Safety Risks in Apples: A Self-Assessment Workbook for Producers of Apples, Juice and Cider
Checklist self-assessment of food safety practices for producers of apples.
Melons
Good Agricultural Practices for the Production and Handling of Melons
This bi-fold pamphlet from N.C. State focuses on how to best reduce the risks of contamination through preventative on-farm measures.
Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Melon Supply Chain
In-depth guidelines from Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association.
Key Points of Control and Management of Microbial Food Safety: Information for Producers, Handlers and Processors of Melons
Seven-page booklet of information for all stages of melon production, handling, and processing.
Strawberries
Strawberry Specific Resources
This information was created to address specific strawberry food safety practices that growers can utilize with direct markets such as farmers markets, pick-your-own (PYO), and community supported agriculture (CSA). This project's resources are provided working in partnership with the NC Strawberry Association, N.C. Cooperative Extension, and the NC Department of Agriculture and is supported in part by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
Postharvest Cooling and Handling of Strawberries
In North Carolina, most strawberries are grown for the pick-your-own market. When strawberries are marketed in this way, growers need not be concerned about handling and storage because these functions are performed by the consumer.
California Strawberry Commission Food Safety Program
The California Strawberry Commission’s Food Safety Program (FSP) is designed to help you examine and improve safety practices and meet the generally accepted standards of good agricultural practices (GAPs). Includes checklists, questionnaires and guidance with California state regulatory standards.
Food Safety in the Berry Patch
This is a publication from Ohio State’s Cooperative Extension program on the importance of food safety practices when selecting strawberries at you-pick facilities.
Watermelons
Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Fresh Watermelon Supply Chain
Second edition of the National Watermelon Association’s food safety program for farmers and packers. Includes focused information on field production, harvest practices, packing houses and more.
General Fruit Guidance
Good Agricultural Practices for the Production and Handling of Strawberry, Raspberry, Blackberry and Blueberry This bi-fold pamphlet from N.C. State focuses on how to best reduce the risks of contamination through preventative on-farm measures.
Management of Microbial Food Safety in Fruit Packing Houses
Extensive resource on food safety in fruit packing houses, concentrating on apples. The document was developed in Australia, but much of the content is applicable regardless of location.
Hand Hygiene for Farm Management
Harvesters Keeping Your Hands Clean
The NoroCORE Team has developed one-page information factsheets for the berry industry, one specifically for farm management and one for harvesters. These information sheets explain the risks posed to the berry industry by norovirus and hepatitis A virus contamination, as well as important measures that can be taken on the farm to control and prevent virus contamination of berries. Click the links below to view and download PDFs of the information sheets.
Foodborne Viruses on Various Foods Factsheets
These instructions, from USDA NIFA, provide a guideline to teach consumers about food safety issues related to foodborne viruses on various foods.