ISHS Acta Horticulturae 536: XIVth International Symposium on Horticultural Economics
DEVELOPMENT OF QUALITY ASSURANCE AND SAFE FOOD PRODUCTION: A PILOT PROJECT WITH WITLOOF CHICORY GROWERS |
| Authors: | H.B. Schoorlemmer, A. Jukema |
| Keywords: | quality assurance, food safety, small-scaled vegetable producers |
| Abstract:
Presently, field vegetable growers and their customers have an increasing interest in quality assurance and safe food production systems. However, in the field vegetable production sector the implementation of these systems is a problem. Growers doubt the practical suitability on their small family farms and nurseries and expect unnecessary paperwork and double registrations. Therefore, a pilot project has been set up with eight witloof chicory growers. Aim of the project was, to develop and implement a quality management system in accordance with ISO-9002. Besides, demands concerning food safety (HACCP), labour and environment had to be integrated in the system. This paper describes the approach of the project, resulting in a systematic and practical way of quality and safe food production. It showed a grower only needs one (integrated) system to meet all kind of demands. This approach could form an example for other small-scale field vegetable growers and enables them to make an important step towards an assured position in the supply chain. | |
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