Here are the steps our team is taking to ensure the safe handling and selling of produce.
Dear Friends and Customers,
My name is Tucker Kelly, Lead Grower at Growing Solutions Farm, a program of Urban Autism Solutions. Each summer, we sell boxes of farm-fresh produce to locals, otherwise known as our CSA program. The CSA program is a pivotal piece to the success and development of services that Urban Autism Solutions provides young adults with autism.
Given recent events, I understand there is concern surrounding fresh produce and whether or not to purchase from local farms. I want to assure you that Growing Solutions Farm takes the well-being of our customers very seriously. We have and will continue to take precautions regarding the safety, sanitation, and handling of every crop that leaves the grounds.
The farm's staff adheres to strict food safety and sanitation standards. These standards minimize contamination of produce by physical, chemical, and microbial contaminants during the growing, packing, and sales processes.
Our team observes the following sanitation practices to ensure safe delivering and selling of produce:
We have reduced the number of persons at the farm to essential workers such as growers
Essential workers involved in harvesting, packing, and sales wear nitrile gloves at all times
Produce is harvested into bins that never touch the ground directly
Additional packaging is used for produce sent to markets where risk is highest
Produce is stored in climate-controlled, sanitized coolers to ensure maximum freshness before it goes out to market for sale
We coordinate with partner organizations to ensure all sanitary measures are being taken and follow Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
We are pleased that you continue to trust Growing Solutions Farm as a source for locally grown, and ecologically-minded produce that supports programming for young adults with autism. Please see general questions about the farm here. If you have any questions regarding the handling of produce, please reach out to me at Tucker@UrbanAutismSolutions.com.
Lastly, I want to thank you for your patronage and support of the Urban Autism Solutions mission. We need you now more than ever.
Sincerely,
Tucker Kelly
Lead Grower at Growing Solutions Farm