Excess Garden Produce? Here's an Option...

If you have a backyard garden, you know that there are times that everything seems to ripen at once.  Or perhaps you enjoy produce gardening, but grow far more than you plan on consuming. What can you do with that excess FOOD? Don't let it go to WASTE!

Until recently, because of health regulations requiring the tracking of food, that produce could not have been sold or donated to restaurants, schools or institutions. Why? Because that food must all come from an approved source - that is, a grower that follows certain guidelines to reduce the likelihood of contamination or food borne illness. 

Last year, the Sonoma County departments of Agricultural Commissioner, Department of Health Services, Information Systems Department and UCCE Sonoma County worked together to create and roll out the Approved Produce Gardener Certificate (APGC). This FREE certification program allows backyard produce growers who follow the required best practices to donate or sell their produce as an approved source grower.  

Visit Approved Produce Gardener Certificate, review the FAQ's then complete the annual registration form.  

1. Enter the responsible party name(s)
2. Enter the garden location(s)
3. Agree to follow each of the best management practices
4. List all of the produce expected to grow in the next year
5. The certificate is good for one year from the date of completion
6. The certificate lists all the produce entered in step 3
7. A copy of the certificate is emailed to the user
8. Provide a copy of the certificate to entities that require produce from an approved source.

School Gardens

In order for schools to use the produce grown in their gardens, the garden must have an Approved Produce Gardener Certificate.

When is APGC not required?

If the garden is certified organic or is registered with the Agricultural Commissioner with a Certified Producer Certificate (for sales at Certified Farmers Markets) or Operator Identification Number (for pesticide use), they do not need to complete the APGC. They will need to provide proof of certification to the entity that requires produce from an approved source.

Questions?

Send an email to klgiov@ucan.edu