Set Up an Efficient Wash/Pack Facility
Robert Hadad, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program

The goal of this document is to provide more detail on setting up an efficient wash/pack facility with a focus on farm food safety and maintaining post-harvest quality. Of course, each farm will have unique circumstances and need different pieces of equipment. The idea here is think about the way to use a space to your best advantage. A facility should be set up to wash and move produce efficiently while getting the job done effectively. Whether you are adapting a currently existing space or starting from scratch, you can use this document to plan as close to the ideal situation as possible. You can customize to your specific situation, budget and needs.
The "Ideal" Wash and Pack Facility Layout (pdf; 485KB)

Upcoming Events
Chautauqua Region Winter Vegetable Meeting
January 30, 2026
Randolph, NY
Fresh market production meeting for small to mid-sized farms. Topics include: vegetable disease management, keeping yourself safe while spraying (organic & conventional), soil and water sampling, managing soil organic matter, grower panel, industry and programmatic updates.
DEC credits available: 1.0 in CORE plus 1.5 in 1a and 23.
Eden Area Winter Vegetable Meeting
February 4, 2026
North Collins, NY
Join us for a mix of industry updates, crop protection talks, pesticide safety programming, and fertility management discussions. This meeting is jointly hosted by the Cornell Vegetable Program and Timac Laing-Gro.
1.25 DEC credits available in CORE plus 1.75 in 1a and 23.
Orleans Regional Winter Vegetable Meeting
February 9, 2026
Albion, NY
Topics include: Breeding and evaluating tomatoes to control disease and improve yield, jar testing and ensuring spray water quality, breaking down organic matter, FSMA updates and Q&A with Ag & Markets, and industry updates. Includes hands-on learning, coffee break, and sponsor booths.
DEC credits available: 1.0 in CORE plus 0.5 in 1a, 10 or 23