Upgrading a cooler or enhancing a produce washing station might seem minor to an outsider, but for food processors, these improvements can be game-changing. Rootdown Farm embraced the challenge of strengthening its infrastructure, and they’re now reaping the rewards of their upgraded cooler and washing station.
Rootdown Organic Farm is a six-acre certified organic farm located in the beautiful Pemberton Valley. They grow over 25 varieties of field and greenhouse vegetables and specialize in greens and garlic production. The farm was established in 2009 and offers a weekly Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Harvest Box program and supplies restaurants and grocery retailers within the Sea to Sky region.
Recognizing the opportunity to strengthen food safety practices, better serve customers, and access new markets, Rootdown applied for funding through the Food Safety Program with the goals of extending their crop growing season and expanding storage capacity.
We are delighted with our cooler upgrades (door/walls/floors). It is so much easier to clean and we are able to keep it much more tidy. In addition, our upgrades to our salad washing area is much more free from debris, pests, and allows for the proper drainage of wastewater. We are super excited about the improvements!
Food safety is an everyday part of business for Rootdown, in 2016 they started their food safety journey by completing a food safety assessment. Since then, they've completed a couple of projects with the support of the Food Safety Program, including having their water tested, getting a GAP assessment, and, most recently, infrastructure upgrades.
"We are delighted with our cooler upgrades (door/walls/floors). It is so much easier to clean , and we are able to keep it much more tidy," said Simone McIsaac, Owner and Operator. In addition, our upgrades to our salad washing area is much more free from debris, pests, and allows for the proper drainage of wastewater. We are super excited about the improvements"
Rootdown takes the extra step to train staff on food safety as part of their initial orientation and is required to comply with a variety of SOP's (Standard Operating Procedures) when it comes to harvesting and processing produce. They also have other measures in place, such as a traceability program for their high-risk produce like spinach and other greens.
Rootdown Farm's experience shows that achieving food safety is neither quick nor simple, it's a gradual process built on many steps. Each step delivers small gains that, over time, add up to significant improvements for food processors.
Learn more about Rootdown Organic Farm at https://www.rootdownfarm.net/
Funding for the Food Safety Program is provided by provided by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
Harbour Farm Organics
