Improved Food Safety with Plastic Bulk Bins at Jericho Settlers Farm

What did you do?

Jericho Settlers Farm was awarded a Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Produce Safety Improvement Grant in the amount of $5,000 to purchase 85 plastic bulk bins to replace old wooden bins used for the harvesting and storing of crops. The bins purchased were MacroPlastics Hybrid 44P-FV.

Why did you do it?

Every fall, Jericho Settlers Farm harvests a large amount of root crops, cabbage, and potatoes that are stored in bulk bins in cold storage for winter sales. The wooden bins that were previously used cannot be sanitized and are not easy to clean leaving the potential for them to harbor bacteria which could be pathogenic to humans. The farm has been incrementally replacing wooden bins with plastic bins to address this food safety concern.

About how much did it cost?

$9.500

How did it help?

The purchase of plastic bulk bins allows the farm to easily sanitize them for use between crops. They are easier to clean, lighter, sturdier and have greater longevity. Now, the farm can provide a clean sanitary container to harvest crops into for greater food safety.

What are you most pleased with?

Improved crew morale in handling the new plastic bins and the ease of sanitizing them for the next use.

Any mistakes or lessons learned?

None.