The assurance of safe food is a fundamental requirement for all customers, domestic and export. Food safety is a non-negotiable condition of supply.

Freshcare was established as the fresh produces industries own on-farm food safety program. Freshcare is a national, industry owned, not for profit program suitable for all growers of fresh produce and, widely accepted by major customer groups including pack-houses, processors, wholesalers, retailers and the food service sector.

Based on HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) principles, the Freshcare code of practice was developed specifically for the fresh produce industry. The code describes the practices required on farm to provide an assurance that the fresh produce grown is safe to eat. Freshcare training provides participants with the tools required to undertake their own onfarm risk assessment, implement the code of practice and maintain the necessary records.

The training component is fundamental to the success of the Freshcare Program. It ensures a full understanding and ‘ownership’ of the system at farm level. Freshcare cannot be ‘bought’ as a shiny manual, it has to be understood, implemented and maintained by the individual grower member.

A third party training assessment (year one) and subsequent annual on-farm and desk audits, further enhance the credibility of the Freshcare program. These provide independent verification that the program has been implemented successfully and is maintained on farm. In addition to the food safety system itself, Freshcare provides its members with ongoing support and guidance, as issues arise and as customer and legislative requirements change.

Unlike a ‘stand alone’ QA system, Freshcare provides an ongoing support mechanism for its members, provides a representative voice for members on food safety issues and continues to evolve and develop to better meet member and market requirements.

The support of Horticulture Australia Limited, through the AusHort Program, has enabled Freshcare to become firmly established within the Australian fresh produce industry.

With a current membership of over 1750 (1st July 2003), Freshcare is the most popular option for on-farm food safety management in Australian horticulture. With a steady stream of new members every month, the Freshcare Program will continue to grow and to support its members in all aspects of on-farm assurance.

This project has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the research and development levies listed below and contributions from the Australian Government. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture.

• Vegetable Fund
• Potato – Processing Fund
• Potato – Fresh Fund
• Onion Fund