Our Heart for Food Safety
Food safety protects the people we love. It is important to have trust in our food supply. Especially as produce is perishable and lacks any form of processing to remove bacteria naturally found in the growing environment, we need to be able to trust that our brand and farmers behind the produce are making the right choices that will protect the people in their lives. North Bay Produce growers operate with integrity. Our growers demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the highest production standards and comply with all required food safety programs and industry best practices that promote the safe cultivation and distribution of fresh, nutritious produce.
Our growers regularly review and verify all current and new safety measures for adequacy and effectiveness, while also participating in third-party evaluations of their systems. Every North Bay partner, from our farms to packinghouses and warehouse facilities have an established food safety culture that drives company commitment and continuous improvements in food safety practices.
STANDARDS ROOTED IN HOW WE GROW
North Bay Produce suppliers adhere to rigorous production standards and strictly comply with established food safety programs and practices to safeguard the integrity, safety, and quality of the produce we deliver. These programs and practices support compliance, accountability, and operational integrity across the supply chain.
Regardless of where our produce is grown geographically, each operation is upheld to the highest standard. This includes being Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certified. The Global Food Safety Initiative sets food safety standards for the entire food industry. To meet GFSI requirements, all farms, packinghouses, and cold storage locations are audited annually by a third-party. These audits verify compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), risk-based food safety controls, and more. Additionally, all packing and storage locations identify potential hazards and associated controls in compliance with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) or the FDA’s FSMA Preventive Controls rule. These food safety plans and hazard analyses are verified through third-party audits. North Bay Produce farms and packinghouses protect our consumers and products through our commitment to meeting and exceeding these established food safety standards.
North Bay Produce farms and packinghouses are regulated by multiple local, regional, and international organizations. All operations that grow or pack produce within or designated for the United States comply with FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and are inspected on a regular basis by the FDA or applicable state department. North Bay Produce is regulated by multiple aspects of the Food Safety Modernization Act such as the Produce Safety, Preventive Controls for Human Food, Foreign Supplier Verification Program, Intentional Adulteration, and Sanitary Transportation of Human Foods. While North Bay’s products are not covered on the FDA’s Food Traceability List, traceability is an important aspect of our business. Using technology, our produce can be traced back to its source, ensuring transparency, quality, and accountability.
LEADERSHIP THROUGH SERVICE
North Bay values continuous learning and innovation, so we voluntarily participate in multiple industry organizations. Our team participates with the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), the Center for Produce Safety (CPS), and is a member of the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP). North Bay is a Community Member of GLOBALG.A.P. and supports the Alliance for Food and Farming. We regularly sponsor the annual Center for Produce Safety Research Symposium as we are committed to implementing science-based food safety practices and strive to be informed of the cutting-edge research for our industry. By actively collaborating with these organizations and with industry peers, we strengthen partnerships, share knowledge, and collectively advance best practices across the fresh produce supply chain.
FOOD SAFETY THAT CONNECTS
While North Bay takes food safety seriously, we are passionate about food safety and work hard to make it impactful. Annually, North Bay celebrates World Food Safety Day and plans a fun food safety activity. We’ve had fun with handwashing games, food safety-themed trivia & bingo, and bacteria-shaped baked goods.
North Bay values continuous learning and ongoing education. We host an annual food safety meeting for growers to grow their confidence in specific topics like cleaning and sanitation, water assessments, environmental monitoring, and more. Our food safety team has attended many trainings and holds certifications such as HACCP, Preventive Control Qualified Individual, Foreign Supplier Verification Program Qualified Individual, Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training, and more.
Through engagement, education, and continuous learning, North Bay reinforces a strong food safety culture that protects consumers, supports our growers, and strengthens trust across the supply chain.
