Food Safety Plan Template
Robert Hadad, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program
No one is crazy about taking the time to write things down. However, writing a food safety plan for your farm will help you implement the practices later. To ease the burden of trying to figure out what to write for in a plan, we have created a template for you to use.
This 28-page template allows you to fill in the pieces in a step-by-step regiment based on how you run your vegetable operation. The template is set up for the Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and the Harmonized GAPs programs. Having a written plan is also useful for implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) standards. A plan is not required for FSMA but it makes compliance much easier than not having one. For further questions or assistance, please contact Robert Hadad.
Still feel a bit overwhelmed about food safety practices and writing a plan? You may want to attend one of our Farm Food Safety trainings (see Events for scheduled trainings or contact Robert for more info). The training provides information on the how's and why's of reducing microbial risk for your operation, creating a workable plan to organize your practices, and the knowledge for why these practices are important. Additionally, the team of food safety experts will help you get started writing your own farm food safety plan.
Food Safety Plan Template (Microsoft Word) (doc; 198KB)
- This file will download to your computer when you click it.
Asparagus
Beets
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cucumbers
Dry Beans
Eggplant
Ethnic Vegetables
Garlic
Horseradish
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Lettuce / Leafy Greens
Melons
Mushrooms
Onions
Parsnips
Peas
Peppers
Potatoes
Pumpkins / Gourds
Radishes
Rhubarb
Rutabaga
Snap Beans
Squash - Summer
Squash- Winter
Sweet Corn
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Turnips
Upcoming Events
2026 NYS Processing Vegetable Educational Meeting
March 16, 2026
Batavia, NY
Processing vegetable industry members who grow, manage, or support crop production for Farm Fresh First/Nortera Foods, Seneca Foods and/or Love Beets, are encouraged to sign-up for the 2026 NYS Processing Vegetable Industry Meeting! You will:
- Network at this in-person meeting.
- Learn the results of industry-funded research.
- Have a voice in Cornell research and Extension.
DEC recertification credits available: 2.0 in categories 1a, 10, and 23.
2.0 Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) credits available.
Virtual Asparagus School
March 17, 2026
Join us to dive deep on growing asparagus! Bringing together experts from the Cornell Vegetable Program, Michigan State University, OMAFA (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness), and industry, featuring a panel of growers.
Postharvest Water Management, Sanitation, and Traceability Workshop
March 18, 2026
Albion, NY
Cornell University personnel from the National GAPs Program and the Produce Safety Alliance are presenting a workshop on postharvest water management, sanitation, and traceability. This workshop will include a mix of short talks and hands-on activities to provide attendees with applied experience with sanitation, postharvest water, and traceability topics.
2.75 NYSDEC CEU's in categories 10, 1a, and 23 available.