Organic Insights - Spring 2022

Organic Insights / Spring 2022 / 15

FRESHCARE – AS SURANCE FOR TODAY AND A SUSTA INABLE TOMORROW

Freshcare is an Australian non-profit organisation that provides internationally recognised assurance standards for the fresh produce and wine grape industries. NASAA Certified Organic (NCO) is accredited as one of seven Freshcare approved Certification Bodies, providing certification services under the following Freshcare Standards:

FRESHCARE CERTIFICATION – FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY NCO is accredited to deliver Freshcare Food Safety Audits. Freshcare Standards are one of three food safety schemes recognised under the Harmonised Australian Retailer Produce Scheme (HARPS) introduced in 2016 to streamline the (then) varying food safety requirements of major retailers. HARPS assisted in lowering the cost for producers who may have previously been subject to multiple audits under different schemes. The Standards are aligned with the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), an international benchmark model for best practice in food safety. They are designed to provide a practical, cost effective and industry focused food safety program for all types of grower businesses. NCO is accredited under Freshcare’s: • Food Safety & Quality Standard Edition 4.1 and 4.2 for On Farm. • Food Safety & Quality-Supply Chain Standard Edition 1 for Grower, Packer and Supply Chains.

FRESHCARE CERTIFICATION FOR THE WINE INDUSTRY NCO is also an accredited auditor under the Freshcare Sustainability Standards for Viticulture (AWISSP- VITI) and Winemaking (AWISSP-WIN1). Released in 2020, Freshcare sustainability standards provide the underpinning certification pathway for viticulturalists and wineries under the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (SWA) program, managed by the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI). Certification to the Freshcare sustainability standards, supports viticulture growers and winemakers to demonstrate and improve the sustainability of their businesses. Certification is achieved through third-party audits every three years, and businesses are required to attend initial training outlining the processes and plans required to pass an audit. For further information, visit sustainablewinegrowing.com.au/ membership/the-certification- process or to arrange an audit, contact NCO direct on (08) 7231 7700.

FRESHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL CODE OF PRACTICE The Freshcare Environmental Code of Practice (ENV3) is an industry led program that verifies that agri-businesses follow an industry-recognised environmental adherence to two elements around management and environment, each of which describes the outcomes required and practices needed to ensure compliance. For certified organic farmers, this simply means additional recognition for the practices that are in place and audits can take place at the same time as organic inspections. assurance program on-farm. The Code of Practice requires

FA IRTRADE – CHANGING THE

WAY TRADE WORKS THROUGH BETTER PR ICES , DECENT WORK ING CONDITIONS AND A FA IRER DEAL FOR FARMERS

AND WORKERS IN DEVELOPING COUNTR I ES .

Yifeng Lu Tha / Unsplash