How to set up a Grower Group:
Step 1: Employ a Quality/Assurance/Compliance Manager and up to two auditors to implement the QMS:
- Internal Auditor: trained and competent to manage the business's QMS, review NZGAP inspection reports and conduct combined Food Act (if applicable) and NZGAP audits on members (suppliers),
- Internal Inspector: trained and competent to conduct Food Act (if applicable) and NZGAP inspections on all members of the grower group against the NZGAP checklist.
Step 2: Set up a QMS to meet NZGAP certification requiremetns e.g. quality manual, complaints procedure, record keeping and document control, training and competency, corrective actions.
Step 3: Develop and implement QMS and audit/inspection process for auditing each member.
Step 4: Pass external audit by certification body which includes an audit of the QMS and a sample of members (square root of the total number in the group plus 50%).
Step 5: Work with NZGAP on the ongoing maintenance of the grower group and membership (e.g. annual renewal process, adding new members, Food Act).