<p>Thanks to the impressive results seen by the California Avocado Commission’s Good Agricultural Practices program, the company is now continuing its GAP Incentive Program. To date, more than 600 California avocado groves have gone through GAP certification and $100,000 has been paid out to GAP-certified California avocado growers for their actual audit cost, according to a press release.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img class="small-cropped-image" src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacySmallCroppedImages/CAC Ken Melban_small.jpg" alt="California Avocado Commission Continues GAP Incentive Program" />“More than 30% of California avocado acreage has been GAP-certified and we’re seeing continued progress in all growing regions,” said Ken Melban, CAC Director, Issues Management. “Many growers find as they go through the GAP certification process that they just need to document their current practices.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> During the most recent CAC-GAP workshops held in December, growers had a chance to hear directly from Colista Yates, a major buyer of California avocados and Brinker Senior Manager for Global Quality Assurance (Brinker International owns Chili’s and Maggiano’s Restuarants). She spoke about her company’s commitment to food safety and their expectation for approved suppliers to be GAP certified. Growers like Art Bliss, Somis grower and Commission board member, now understand why GAPs are important. It ensures the safety of the fruit, while also protecting the strong Hand Grown in California avocado brand.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> GAP certification has become increasingly important to consumers and growers. “…Certification is essential because it demonstrates California avocado industry’s commitment to deliver the premium quality our customers rely on,” continued Melban. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.californiaavocado.com" target="_new"> California Avocado Commission </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
