Horticulture & Specialty Crops
Post-Harvest Handling Checklist
Use this checklist for post-harvest handling of fresh produce. It reminds crews to cool, clean, sort, and pack with care to protect quality and food safety.
Download free PDF1 page, US Letter, prints clean in black and white
ChecklistHorticulture & Specialty CropsFree PDF
What is on this checklist
- Harvest containers are clean
- Produce shaded after picking
- Cooling started promptly
- Wash water source is checked
- Produce sorted for defects
- Packing surfaces are sanitized
- Product held at proper temperature
- Records completed for each lot
How to use this checklist
Fill in the farm, date and your name, then walk the job with the sheet in hand. A habit of five minutes on this list tends to catch small problems early.
Where to check the details
This sheet is a general template, so confirm specifics with your own manuals, labels and local rules. For current official guidance, start with FDA and eXtension.
For more in this area, see the planting dates and harvest timing. Between chores, farm.FM has farm humor, including Honkytonk Harvest, and farming farm stories.