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
Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Food Safety Training
March 10, 2026
Newark, NY
Learn about food safety on the farm! This event hosted by the Cornell Vegetable Program, Cornell Lake Ontario Fruit Team, CCE Wayne County, and the NYS Department of Agriculture, will cover good agricultural practices (GAPs) to help reduce the risk of microbial contamination on the farm, keeping food and consumers safe.
Urban Ag Food Safety Webinar
March 11, 2026
Urban and small-scale producers are encouraged to join us for the Urban Ag Food Safety webinar, featuring speakers from Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell IPM. We will explore the 'why' behind food safety, providing a basic overview and diving into specific urban ag considerations including water, pest, rodent, and soil health challenges. We will touch on the regulation and marketing landscape, and share resources for learning more. Bring your questions!
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.