BUNDLING
Bundling Programs to Save Time AND Money!
Validus is able to offer certification services and technology solutions to our clients at a reduced cost by bundling various certification and verification services and technology solutions with other WFCF divisions. For instance, if you're already Gluten Free, USDA Organic or Non-GMO Project certified, then we can easily bundle those programs with your SQF and HACCP certifications as well.
Ask us how we can bundle your various programs into one audit to save you both time AND money!
WFCF Organic provides certification services for operations that produce crops and livestock, or make organic products. Each certification category allows clients to choose their certification needs based on the type of product they wish to certify.
Additionally, a client may choose multiple categories that may be applicable to their operation type. For example, if you are producing your own milk, bulk or retail, and growing the grain that feeds the cows, you will be classified as a handler operation for the milk and a grower operation for the grain used to feed the cows. Our team of certification specialists will help you identify your categories through our technology platform called SOW Organic.
Farms producing agriculture crops, wild harvested crops, hydroponic crops, or pastures used for grazing animals can all be certified Organic. These crops can include, but are not limited to: hemp, hay, row crops, produce, transplants, sprouts, micro greens, cut flowers and more.
Processor & Handlers
Organic certification for processors and handlers of organic foods includes feed mills, on-farm processors, contract feed mills, co-packers, packers, brokers, wholesalers and distributors of organic food products. If you handle a product in permeable form, then you are considered a handler and if you process that product and re-package it, you are then considered both a processor and a handler.
Livestock
Certification for livestock includes ruminants, poultry and finished products like meat, eggs and milk. This can also include livestock such as snails. Yes, we also certify snails!
Wild Crops
Wild crops are defined as crops that are grown but not maintained under cultivation or agricultural management. To consider a crop wild it needs to be maintained by its natural environment or ecosystem. For example, wild crops should not be fed and but will need to be watered by rain rather than irrigation systems. Wild crop harvesting must ensure that the process of harvesting will sustain the growth and production of the wild crop and will not be degrading to the environment.
USDA National Organic Program
Transitional Certification
Transitional certification is for clients who would like to transition from conventional agricultural land to organic land (or packaged good products using transitional ingredients). If your farm has used a product on our "prohibited" list in the last three years, then the Transitional certification is your first step to achieving organic certification. Many of our clients apply for Transitional Organic and are eligible for crop insurance programs by FSIS.
Transitional Certification
Non-GMO Project
Many of our clients have said they benefit from becoming both USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified. While the organic industry understands that Organic is Non-GMO, consumers don’t share that same understanding. A research study showed that the Non-GMO Project seal is one of the most sought after certification seals on food products with 80% of consumers recognizin their seal. (Source: Linkage Research)
Gluten Free
The WFCF Gluten Free standard is based on a combination of quantitative analysis of ingredients and products, along with required management practices aimed at minimizing the introduction (accidental or otherwise) of gluten proteins in the production stream.
Source Verification
Identification and traceability are the cornerstones of this claim. To know an animal’s birthplace, we must to be able to review records that identify the animal in a unique way tied to that specific source of origin. This is most often done with the use of individual, electronic ear tags that the animals wear, which are then cross referenced to specific records maintained on the farm or ranch. Source can also be tracked in fruits, vegetables, grains, and all types of agricultural products. If you want the story behind your food, you must first know where it came from! That is why nearly 100% of WFCF verification programs and services start with Source Verification as their base requirement.
Technology
SureHarvest product offerings, including strategic advisory services and sustainability program development, are complementary solutions that may be bundled with applicable verification and certification services. And if you are looking for innovative technology to support verification of your sustainability program, the SureHarvest Sustainability MIS platform is a customizable, secure and confidential web-based platform you can utilize. SureHarvest is a division of Where Food Comes From, Inc.
Safe Quality Food (SQF)
Safe Quality Food (SQF) is Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) benchmarked. Validus, a division of WFCF, is licensed by the Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI) and accredited by ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) to perform SQF audits, both on farm and in plants processing raw agricultural goods. Certification schemes benchmarked by GFSI, such as SQF, are recognized worldwide and are requested more and more frequently by customers of food processors and manufacturers.
Validus conducts audits in 13 different SQF Food Sector Categories (FSC).
You can view them here. Is your FSC not listed? Contact us to see if we can add it on!
Where Food Comes From CARE Certified
Where Food Comes From CARE is a suite of sustainability standards that certifies participating farmers and ranchers who are implementing best practices in animal husbandry, environmental stewardship and a productive engagement with their local communities and the people within them.
CARE values are rooted in a firm belief that farmers and ranchers are stewards of our natural resources whom are always looking to continuously improve sustainability practices and create a legacy.
CARE certification creates value by communicating the invaluable role that farmers and ranchers play in animal care, environment and their local communities. CARE Certification is available to beef, dairy, pork and poultry producers.
Learn more at wfcfCARE.com.
Traceability
Validus has developed species-specific traceability audits designed to help food chain participants verify an operation's claim for cage-free or crate-free production.
These audits contain the following major components: premises identification,
animal / product identification, animal production practices and animal / product movement throughout the system.
Traceability
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