Backyard Farms first US hydroponic greenhouse to earn produce safety standard certification

Backyard Farms, New England’s largest year-round grower of tomatoes, is the first hydroponic grower in the United States to obtain GLOBALG.A.P. Produce Safety Standard (PSS) certification for the production of its tomatoes. Backyard Farms is currently the only GLOBALG.A.P. certified producer in Maine. GLOBALG.A.P. is a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) recognized scheme at the farm level to ensure safe and sustainable agriculture worldwide.

Located in Madison, Maine, Backyard Farms was founded in 2005. It operates 42 acres of greenhouse growing space that provides the northeast with fresh, locally grown Backyard Farms tomatoes year round.

“We have always been committed to food safety since Day One and GLOBALG.A.P. certification is another great example,” said Mark Queenan, Director of Quality Assurance and Food Safety at Backyard Farms. “Our associates at Backyard Farms have made this certification possible by embracing food quality and safety as a cornerstone of our corporate culture. Their dedication and vision have enabled us to attain the high quality levels that we have today and provide confidence and peace of mind to our customers when they purchase Backyard Farms tomatoes.”

Based in Gainesville, Florida, Quality Certification Services (QCS) offers the following certification options including Certified Organic, Certified Transitional, Certified Hormone/Antibiotic Free, Organic Aquaculture, GLOBALG.A.P. (several scopes), specific trade practices and Food Justice Certification, which will allow for consumers to choose to support a more just agricultural system.

QCS meets the needs of operations regardless of type, location, or size on the ever-expanding worldwide market. They are committed to meeting the unique needs of any business in a timely manner. QCS is the certification program of Florida Certified Organic Growers and Consumers Inc. (FOG), a nonprofit organization that began certifying organic growers in 1989 and received its USDA accreditation in 2001.

GLOBALG.A.P. is the world’s leading farm assurance program, translating consumer requirements into Good Agriculture Practice in a rapidly growing list of countries – currently more than 100 worldwide.

For more information about QCS and GLOBALG.A.P., please visit the QCS website at www.qcsinfo.org or call +1 352.377.1033.

Publication date: Wed 18 Jun 2014