In Connecticut, 15% of produce farms have $50,000 or more in annual revenue. The leading crop grown is sweet corn, followed by apples, pumpkins, beans, and squash. CT growers have access to state and federal produce safety voluntary audits through the state run CGAP program and the USDA audit programs (GAPs, HGAP, and HGAP+). Search USDA Certified Farms.
Connecticut
Key Farm Facts for Connecticut
1,489
Fruit and vegetable farms in the state
$47 million
Value of agricultural products sold direct to consumer*
$20 million
Value of agricultural products sold to retail markets*
Leading Crops Grown in Connecticut
Produce Farms by Acreage in Connecticut
Connecticut Contacts
State Produce Safety Rule Inspection
Connecticut Good Agricultural Practices (CGAP)
USDA GAP, HGAP, HGAP+ Audit Programs
Connecticut: What is Required for Audits and Inspections in this State?
Need more information? Go to the Produce Safety Rule Plain Language overview.
Issuing a Certificate: Will a grower receive a certificate following an audit or inspection?
Connecticut Good Agricultural Practices (CGAP):
YES
Produce Safety Rule:
USDA GAP, HGAP, and HGAP+:
YES mail or scan/ send/ website
Required On-Farm Verification: How often are the audit or inspection produce safety practices verified?
Connecticut Good Agricultural Practices (CGAP):
Annual Audit
Produce Safety Rule:
Periodic inspection with annual max frequency
USDA GAP, HGAP, and HGAP+:
Annual Audit
Written Food Safety Plan: Does an audit or inspection require a written farm food safety plan?
Connecticut Good Agricultural Practices (CGAP):
Documents, Records and Policies are required
Produce Safety Rule:
Not required
USDA GAP, HGAP, and HGAP+:
Required
Crop Coverage: What crops are covered by, or subject to, the requirements outlined in an audit or inspection?
Connecticut Good Agricultural Practices (CGAP):
Whole Farm
Produce Safety Rule:
USDA GAP, HGAP, and HGAP+:
Crop Specific
Completion Requirement: What score is needed to demonstrate that a farm meets the requirements of an audit or inspection?
Connecticut Good Agricultural Practices (CGAP):
Pass/Fail
Produce Safety Rule:
No scoring--work over time to meet requirements
USDA GAP, HGAP, and HGAP+:
Each major section must have a minimum score of 80%
Worker Training: What does an audit or inspection require for worker training?
Connecticut Good Agricultural Practices (CGAP):
Yearly. Records reviewed, topics reviewed, policies reviewed
Produce Safety Rule:
Job Specific Annual Training Record with topics covered
USDA GAP, HGAP, and HGAP+:
Job Specific Annual Training Record with topics covered
Manure Management: What does an audit or inspection require when using manure?
Connecticut Good Agricultural Practices (CGAP):
Records, policies, training (if applicable)
Produce Safety Rule:
Policy, record/ Under review
USDA GAP, HGAP, and HGAP+:
Policy, Record
Animal (Wildlife and Domestic): What does an audit or inspection require for managing animal contamination?
Connecticut Good Agricultural Practices (CGAP):
Records, policies, training (if applicable)
Produce Safety Rule:
Assessment of relevant areas for evidence of animal contamination and, if found, what actions will be taken to ensure contaminated produce is not harvested.
USDA GAP, HGAP, and HGAP+:
Monitors growing areas for animal activity and takes action to prevent or minimize animal contamination. Policy, Record
Agricultural Water: What does an audit or inspection require when using water that touches the crop before it is harvested?
Connecticut Good Agricultural Practices (CGAP):
We anticipate that we will align with science based standars of PSR. Current: surface water = 3 tests, well = 1 test
Produce Safety Rule:
Under review
USDA GAP, HGAP, and HGAP+:
Record, 1x wells/3x surface testing annually
Post-Harvest Water Source: What does an audit or inspection require for post-harvest water sources?
Connecticut Good Agricultural Practices (CGAP):
Records, water tests, policies, training are all reviewed
Produce Safety Rule:
Under review
USDA GAP, HGAP, and HGAP+:
Record, 1x well testing annually
Post-Harvest Water Use: What does an audit or inspection require of Post-Harvest Water?
Connecticut Good Agricultural Practices (CGAP):
Records, water tests, policies, training are all reviewed. Yes recirculated water needs an approved sanitizer with appropriate documentation
Produce Safety Rule:
Under review
USDA GAP, HGAP, and HGAP+:
Recirculated water requires sanitizer use/record
Cleaning and Sanitation: What does an audit or inspection require for cleaning and sanitizing equipment, tools, and other surfaces?
Connecticut Good Agricultural Practices (CGAP):
Records, policies, and training are all reviewed to ensure its properly performed
Produce Safety Rule:
Record
USDA GAP, HGAP, and HGAP+:
Plan, Record
Cold Storage Management: What does an audit or inspection require when using cold storage for produce?
Connecticut Good Agricultural Practices (CGAP):
Records, policies, and training of staff are all reviewed
Produce Safety Rule:
None Required
USDA GAP, HGAP, and HGAP+:
Policy, Temperature Record
Traceability/Recall Plan: What does an audit or inspection require to trace produce back in the event of a recall?
Connecticut Good Agricultural Practices (CGAP):
Records, policies, and training of staff are all reviewed to ensure the plan works and is carried out by the farm
Produce Safety Rule:
None required
USDA GAP, HGAP, and HGAP+:
Policy, Record
Mock Recall: What does an audit or inspection require for a mock recall?
Connecticut Good Agricultural Practices (CGAP):
Record
Produce Safety Rule:
None required
USDA GAP, HGAP, and HGAP+:
Record