Sec.22-39g-3. CGAP Program, certificate, fees

(a) This section and sections 22-39g-4 to 22-39g-7, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, shall apply to any produce farm that voluntarily requests inspection pursuant to section 22-39g of the Connecticut General Statutes.

(b) Each CGAP applicant requesting inspection pursuant to section 22-39g of the Connecticut General Statutes shall pay a non-refundable registration fee of one hundred dollars to the department, except owners of covered farms shall not be required to pay any fee for such application.

(c) Each CGAP applicant requesting inspection pursuant to section 22-39g of the Connecticut General Statutes shall meet the following requirements prior to the issuance of a CGAP certificate:

(1) Demonstrate compliance with sections 22-39g-4 and 22-39g-5 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies;

(2) Maintain written records documenting standard operating procedures for training provided to employees and contractors regarding sanitation, maintenance, harvesting, washing, packing, packaging, labeling and water quality; and

(3) Demonstrate employee and contractor compliance with such standard operating procedures through on-farm evaluations of employees and contractors.

(d) Any produce grown, harvested, packed or held in a private residence by a CGAP produce farm shall be located in a room that is separate from such residence's living quarters and accessible from the outdoors by a separate entrance.

(e) Each CGAP applicant requesting inspection pursuant to section 22-39g of the Connecticut General Statutes shall request such inspection not less than sixty days prior to the expected first day of the produce farm’s harvest.

(f) After an inspection demonstrating compliance with this section and sections 22-39g-4 and 22- 39g-5 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, the commissioner shall issue a CGAP certificate to the owner of the produce farm. Such certificate shall expire one year after the date of issuance.

(g) The CGAP certificate shall only cover current produce conditions; shall not be interpreted as a guarantee, explicit or implied, for the adequacy of any produce of the farm; and shall not be used for advertising purposes.

(Effective February 10, 2023)