The voluntary Rhode Island GAP Grower Certification Program is a joint effort of the Division of Agriculture, RI Department of Environmental Management, the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension Food Safety Education Program, and RI growers. The program begins with training for growers and their workers on the application of GAP food safety principles to the growing, harvesting, processing and transporting of fresh fruits and vegetables. Once a grower feels that they have met the RI GAP guidelines, a staff person from the RI Division of Agriculture visits the farm for a review of GAP practices. This audit confirms that the grower has successfully applied required GAP practices during growing, harvesting, processing and transporting of fresh fruits and vegetables. After a successful audit, the grower will be certified as a RI GAP grower. The grower must be audited once every year in order to maintain the GAP Grower Certification.