Food Safety Considerations and Design for Packing Sheds
Robert Hadad, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program

This diagram, showing food safety considerations and design recommendations for packing sheds, is not intended to give actual dimensions and square footage since packing sheds can be any size, shape, and configuration. It can be as formal as a permanent building or a canopy at the edge of a field (four sticks and a lid). What really matters is allowing enough room to accomplish the tasks without spreading contamination into the finished product during packing. If produce washing is done, then it is crucial that unwashed product doesn't come into contact with washed produce and the workers doing the washing are clean themselves.
The washing station set up needs to have enough room to move produce in and out. The equipment set-up should consider good drainage to keep the floor as dry as possible, no pooling, or splashing onto clean produce.
Wash Line and Packing Shed Design for Food Safety (pdf; 333KB)


Upcoming Events
Vegetable Pest and Cultural Management Field Meeting for Auction Growers -- Ontario Produce Auction

July 15, 2025
Stanley, NY
This evening meeting will demonstrate pest management in fresh market vegetables in both field and greenhouse (high tunnel) vegetables, primarily for those growing for wholesale auction. A hands-on demonstration of weed, insect and disease identification in vegetables including management options. Details on each topic will focus on field observations at the farm.
Orleans Summer Vegetable Meeting, 2025

July 16, 2025
Waterport, NY
Meeting themes are pest management in a wide array of produce and best practices for pesticide use. Professor Brian Nault will cover allium leaf miner and thrips in onions, garlic, and leeks, and discuss insect challenges in other crops. Bring your questions! We'll also have a field walk that includes high tunnel tomato and cucumber.
DEC credits available: 0.5 in CORE plus either 1.25 in 1a and 23, or 0.75 in 24.
Vegetable Pest and Cultural Management Field Meeting for Auction Growers -- Finger Lakes Produce Auction

July 18, 2025
Penn Yan, NY
This evening meeting will demonstrate pest management in fresh market vegetables in both field and greenhouse (high tunnel) vegetables, primarily for those growing for wholesale auction. A hands-on demonstration of weed, insect and disease identification in vegetables including management options. Details on each topic will focus on field observations at the farm.