Wood River Organics

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Topics:

Harvest, Post-Harvest Handling and Irrigation Water Usage

Host Farmer Judd McMahan and Guest Speaker

Melody Bowyer, Public Health Manager,

South Central Public Health Department

Judd’s farm tour included a look at the canal and his irrigation system. Techniques used to decrease potential contamination through the irrigation system were discussed, including types of water testing required for various irrigation sources.

Judd uses Cornell’s Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Materials in identifying critical control points throughout his operation.

Each row has been labeled with a small sign for record keeping purposes.

The GAPS self audit helped Judd identify strengths and weaknesses of the operation, and where it is most useful to focus resources in terms of food safety. Wood River Organics has an extensive post production building designed to handle large quantities of product.

(The production building is the smaller building at the end of rows in photo)

Wood River Organics’ post production building is split into two sections with large processing tables on each side. One side is for prewash product, the other side for post-wash product.

The production room includes rinse sinks, spin driers, walk-in cooler, cleaning and harvesting supplies and record keeping materials. The building has a large over head door to assist in climate control as needed throughout the season.

Post harvest handling starts at the prewash sort table. With gloved hands, workers sort out any dirt and discard product not up to standard. Lettuce is placed in mesh bags for washing.

At the post wash tables, product is sorted again, dried with fans on absorbent bleached fabric.

Product is packaged and stored in walk in cooler.

Meticulous records are kept on each harvested tub. Information includes the row harvested from, date/time, and staff.

Wood River Organics can track any product sold back to the day, time and exact location of harvest, including the amount of time spent in production, and transport

Wood River Organics can be found at the Ketchum and Hailey Farmers Markets.