FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
You have questions. We have answers. At least, we hope we have answers. If you have questions beyond these, please visit our Contacts page and complete our form.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Have you ever wondered how safe the leafy greens grown in Arizona are? Do you want to know if your lettuce and leafy greens are safe to eat? Are you interested in joining Arizona Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement? Check out our FAQs below and if you have a question or comment not addressed, please use our Contact form and let us know.
ARE MEMBERSHIPS ONLY OPEN TO SHIPPERS?
Under the agreement originally established in 2007 and updated in 2015, memberships are only open to those responsible for the process of shipping to customers. These shippers are ultimately responsible for the entire process of farming, harvesting and shipping to buyers.
HOW DO YOU MONITOR COMPLIANCE?
We enforce science-based good agricultural practices. The food safety compliance requirements cover five main areas:
General Requirements: Member companies are required to have a complete food safety compliance plan, an up-to-date list of growers and a written trace-back program.
Environmental Assessments: Pre-season and pre-harvest assessments are required to make sure conditions that can affect food safety, such as animal intrusions, flooding, proximity to animal feeding operations, etc. are not present, or have been properly mitigated.
Water: Extensive testing and record-keeping for all sources of water are required by the program.
Soil amendments: Extensive testing, certification and record-keeping for all sources of compost and fertilizers used in the production of leafy greens are required by the program.
Work Practices and Field Observations: Field audits verify that farmers are in compliance with the program’s requirements in the areas of worker practices and Field Sanitation.
HOW DO I KNOW IF PRODUCE IS CERTIFIED BY ARIZONA LEAFY GREENS?
Leafy greens products produced by Arizona LGMA member companies carry a black and white service mark on bills of laden to make them easily recognizable for buyers. Many buyers refuse to sell leafy greens without this mark.
SO IS YOUR INDUSTRY JUST POLICING ITSELF?
We all have an interest in ensuring that the food we put on our tables is free from contaminants and safely harvested. Prior to our organization, safe food handling practices were sporadic, and not uniform. By coming together in a collaborative fashion and agreeing on uniform science-based standards, we are protecting not only consumers, but our industry. We have invested significantly in a program that ensures this uniformity, and oversight by government-certified auditors.
CAN I PURCHASE YOUR FOOD SAFETY KIT?
Of course! Our industry-recognized program is applicable to many commodities. We have developed the entire program in both English and Spanish, for use in many different scenarios - from a classroom setting to the back of a tailgate. Please contact us for more information at (602) 542-0945.