Twenty years ago, food safety was hardly a household concern. However, following a series of food safety scares in the 1990's, the hazards associated with poor food handling practices have become a matter of grave concern, not only to the public, but to those in the food industry who bear the liability.

Because agricultural production occurs in a non-sterile environment, it is not feasible to completely eliminate the possibility of contamination. However, it is our goal at Westside Produce, to give our customers the finest, most wholesome products possible and we are committed to taking the necessary steps to implement and maintain a sound Food Safety and Security Management Program. Through the use of Third Party Audits, Good Agricultural Practices, and Good Manufacturing Practices, we believe we have implemented measures to reduce hazards at every step in the process over which we have direct managerial control.

 

THIRD PARTY AUDIT PROGRAM

For over ten years, Westside Produce has utilized the services of Scientific Certification Systems ('SCS") for its Food Safety, Food Security and NutriClean Certification Programs. SCS is a leading third-party provider of certification, auditing and testing services, and standards. Their goal is to recognize the highest levels of performance in food safety and quality, environmental protection and social responsibility in the private and public sectors, and to stimulate continuous improvement in sustainable development.

One of the most important and distinguishing assets of SCS is their status as a truly neutral third party. They deliver professional, objective services that have only one goal - to make the food system as safe as it can possibly be. For more information on SCS and the services they provide, please visit their website.

Food Safety Audit Reports YEAR FACILITY AUDIT RANCH AUDIT HARVEST AUDIT 2008 facility-08.pdf ranch-08.pdf harvest-08.pdf 2009 facility-09.pdf ranch-09.pdf harvest-09.pdf

Click here to view Dr. Trevor Suslows videos on Cantaloupe Food Safety.

With Consumers in Mind: Growing, Handling & Shipping CA Cantaloupes (Dr. Trevor Suslow, UC Davis)

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Guidlines for the California Cantaloupe Industry (Dr. Trevor Suslow, UC Davis)

 

WESTSIDE PRODUCE GROWING PRACTICES

Westside Produce does not farm; rather all of its melons are grown by contract farmers in the Central San Joaquin Valley of California, the Imperial Valley of California, and the Yuma Valley of Arizona. Different geographic areas are selected so as to have a consistent supply of the best quality melons throughout the harvest period of May through October. Melons are a rotation crop for both California and Arizona farmers and are typically grown on less than 10% of a farmers’ row crop acreage. A particular field may have melons on it every fifth year, however, on more than half of the Westside Produce acres, melons are the second crop for that year. They are often planted following the harvest of hay, sugar beets, or grain crops. The selection of farmers and fields involves many issues including pest management, disease risk, climactic variances, traffic, and dwellings. In addition, the selection and planning process includes a number of parameters including the food safety risks associated with growing, harvesting, and packing the crop. Melons are grown in the open, on the ground, using the best Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) available. Westside Produce understands that risks can never be completely eliminated; however, the assessment of these risks is a crucial part of everything we do, beginning with the acceptance of knowledgeable, experienced and competent farmers. Westside Produce works with these farmers to ensure that food safety practices are in place, most notably in the selection of land upon which the crop will be grown.

Once farmers are selected and fields are accepted, each grower must sign and adhere to Westside Produce’s Grower Compliance Statement which requires growing and handling in accordance with good agricultural practices and food safety measures stated in:

1. The Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Melon Supply Chain.

2. All Federal, state and local laws.

3. All regulations regarding chemical/material applications.

 

WESTSIDE PRODUCE GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) are guidelines designed by FDA and USDA to produce safe products and eliminate potential for product contamination.

Click on the PDF to view Westside Produce GAP’s: 

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