Jan 13, 2011

D.S. Cole Growers Receives MPS-GAP CertificationSource: MPS

MPS announced last week that D.S. Cole Growers of Loudon, N.H., has successfully been awarded another sustainable certificate, MPS-GAP (Good Agricultural Practices). D.S. Cole Growers is the first MPS-GAP certified company in North America.

MPS announced last week that D.S. Cole Growers of Loudon, N.H., has successfully been awarded another sustainable certificate, MPS-GAP (Good Agricultural Practices). This certificate is based upon criteria formulated by supermarket organizations, which require high-quality products that have been cultivated in a sustainable manner. Traceability is also part of the certification scheme.

D.S. Cole Growers is the first MPS-GAP certified company in North America. MPS-GAP is also part of the MPS-Florimark Production, the label for sustainability combining environmental, social and quality aspects.

Doug Cole, owner of D.S. Cole Growers, is very proud of the work that his team put into the certificate. “Most of the requirements of MPS-GAP are satisfied by the fact that in the U.S. we conduct business via modern and regulated procedures, which insure quality working conditions for our staff,” he said. “What makes the certificate worthwhile is that many of us in the agricultural industry don’t always go the extra mile on some of these steps. For example, for MPS-GAP we created an emergency evacuation plan, improved our first aid and CPR training, and updated our pesticide storage. These examples not only made our facility safer for all of our associates, it will better cover us in case of frivolous lawsuits.”

Today’s consumers make greater demands relating to production methods and the origins of the products they buy. The change in mentality has resulted in increased demand for certified products.

If you have questions about the MPS program contact their West Coast coordinator, Charlotte Smith at 805.524.9685 or c.smit@usa.my-mps.com, or the East Coast coordinator, Sandy Hering at 508.758.3008 or s.hering@usa.my-mps.com.