Built for Middle Tennessee. Free FSMA 204 traceability, GAP audit preparation, and organic and other programs from one set of records.
In Tennessee the Department of Agriculture administers the FSMA Produce Safety Rule, and UT Extension partners with it on grower education — including free On-Farm Readiness Reviews that walk your operation the way an inspector would.
Middle Tennessee growers selling into Nashville-area wholesale, restaurant and institutional channels are the ones most often asked for a GAP audit. GAP APP gets the records ready so the audit is a formality rather than a scramble.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture administers the FSMA Produce Safety Rule, which took effect on January 26, 2016. TDA and UT Extension jointly deliver produce safety education across the state.
Sources: TDA Produce Safety Rule · TDA education and training
TDA and UT Extension run On-Farm Readiness Reviews — free, voluntary walk-throughs that simulate a Produce Safety Rule inspection. They are the cheapest way to find out where your operation stands before anyone with authority arrives.
Sources: TDA education and training
UT Extension's grower publication on GAP certification in Tennessee explains that audits are conducted by third-party organizations — chiefly USDA AMS, along with private bodies such as Primus, NSF, AIB International and SCS, plus scheme owners like GLOBALG.A.P. You contact your chosen organization directly to schedule, after self-auditing against their checklist.
Sources: UT Extension SP 746-B · USDA AMS GAP & GHP
UT Extension's GAP publication tells growers to contact TDA's Market Development Division about funds that cover part of the cost of a GAP audit, and points to the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program as a separate cost-share route. A GAP audit cost-share was publicly reported in past years; we could not verify the current reimbursement percentage, cap or whether that specific line item is still funded — call TDA before you count on it.
Sources: UT Extension SP 746-B · Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program
We do not publish a list of Middle Tennessee buyers with a documented GAP requirement, because we could not verify one from public sources. Ask each buyer which standard they accept and get it in writing — that answer, not a guess, should drive which program you turn on in GAP APP.
The state's agricultural marketing directory, a practical starting point for finding wholesale and institutional buyers across Middle Tennessee.
Visit Pick Tennessee Products →The same division UT Extension points growers to about GAP audit funding also works on market access.
Visit TDA Market Development Division →Lot tracking, key data elements and 24-hour recall records for the FDA Food Traceability Rule. Included free, forever.
Explore FSMA 204 Traceability →USDA Harmonized GAP, PrimusGFS and GLOBALG.A.P. — SOPs, daily logs, mock audits and a one-click auditor binder.
Explore GAP Certification →USDA Organic system plans, HACCP, export compliance and lab records managed from the same set of farm data.
Explore Organic & Other Programs →Start with free FSMA 204 traceability. Add GAP when your buyer asks.
GAP APP is not affiliated with USDA, FDA, or any state department of agriculture. Program details change; always confirm current requirements, fees and funding with the agency directly.