The most widely recognized food safety audit for fresh produce growers. Managed by USDA AMS.
USDA Harmonized GAP is a voluntary audit program that verifies fresh produce farms follow science-based food safety practices. Developed by USDA AMS, it harmonized multiple existing GAP programs into a single, standardized audit.
The audit is divided into parts covering different stages of production — from field operations to storage and distribution. Farms choose which parts apply to their operation.
It's the most common GAP program for domestic U.S. produce growers and is accepted by most grocery retailers, food service distributors, school nutrition programs, and food hubs.
Any fresh produce grower selling to grocery chains, food hubs, schools, or wholesale distributors that require a third-party food safety audit.
You only need to pass the parts that apply to your operation.
Farm management, worker training, traceability, and food safety plan documentation.
Land use history, water quality, soil amendments, wildlife intrusion, and worker hygiene in the field.
Harvest crew training, container sanitation, field packing procedures, and temperature management.
Packhouse sanitation, equipment cleaning, cold chain management, and pest control programs.
Cold storage monitoring, lot segregation, vehicle sanitation, and shipping documentation.
A documented plan covering hazards, controls, and procedures specific to your operation.
Documented evidence that all workers received food safety and hygiene training.
Annual water quality tests for all agricultural water sources, with records on file.
Temperature logs, sanitation checklists, pre-harvest inspections, and corrective actions.
Standard operating procedures for cleaning, sanitizing, and maintaining equipment.
Ability to trace produce one step forward and one step back in the supply chain.
Every feature maps to USDA Harmonized GAP requirements — no guesswork.
Pre-built question sets aligned to each USDA Harmonized GAP audit part — so you know exactly what to prepare.
AI-generated Standard Operating Procedures tailored to USDA Harmonized requirements for your operation type.
Simulate the audit with scored questions, gap identification, and corrective action tracking.
Track nonconformities with photo evidence, deadlines, and verification workflows — built for USDA's format.
3D spatial documentation to prove facility layout, handwashing stations, and chemical storage compliance.
Export a complete, organized binder with all documents, logs, and evidence your auditor expects to see.
Build your food safety plan, run mock audits, and generate your audit binder — all aligned to USDA requirements.
GAP APP provides preparation tools and is not affiliated with USDA or AMS. Certification decisions are made solely by accredited third-party auditors.