Frequently Asked Questions about LGMA Membership

What are the basic requirements of being a member?

The LGMA defines a member company (usually referred to as a handler) as:
Any person who handles, processes, ships or distributes leafy green products (iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, red leaf lettuce, butter lettuce, baby leaf lettuce (i.e., immature lettuce or leafy greens), escarole, endive, spring mix, spinach, cabbage, kale, arugula or chard) for market whether as owner, agent, employee, broker or otherwise.

Is membership voluntary?

Membership in the LGMA is voluntary, however, once a company joins the LGMA it becomes mandatory for that member company to sell and ship product only from farmers who comply with the LGMA accepted food safety practices. Compliance with the LGMA food safety practices is verified through mandatory government audits conducted by USDA certified inspectors. Currently, LGMA member companies represent 99% of the volume of California leafy greens.

When/How can I join the LGMA?

Each year the LGMA has an open enrollment period. During this time new companies can sign on and current signatories must sign-up again.

Are there certain rules members must follow in order to belong to the LGMA

Members of the LGMA must adhere to the mandatory food safety practices and submit to regular and random government audits conducted by USDA certified inspectors.

Are there any costs associated with being a member?

LGMA member companies have agreed to tax or assess themselves to collectively pay for the expense of the mandatory government audits. Member companies pay a tax or assessment based on the volume of leafy green product they ship or sell. The assessment is currently $0.02 per 24-count carton. If product is sold by the pound, the rate varies. Additional assessment rate information can be found on the Assessment Form under the Members Forms section of the website.

What are the food safety practices outlined in the LGMA?

At the heart of the LGMA program is the mandatory audit program that certifies member companies are implementing food safety practices developed by university and industry scientists, food safety experts, farmers, shippers and processors. These food safety practices were also reviewed by state and federal government health agencies. (The food safety practices can be found on this website in the resources section). This set of food safety practices has been accepted by the LGMA and all LGMA member companies are subject to mandatory government audits on a regular, but random basis to ensure that the LGMA-accepted food safety practices are being implemented. The food safety practices cover five key areas:

General Requirements

Member companies are required to have a complete food safety compliance plan, an up-to-date list of growers, and a written traceback program.

Environmental Assessments

Pre-season and pre-harvest assessments are required to make sure conditions that can affect food safety, such as animal intrusions, flooding, proximity to animal feeding operations, etc. are not present, or have been properly mitigated.

Water Use

Extensive testing and record keeping for all sources of water used in the production of leafy greens is required by the program.

Soil Amendments

Extensive testing, certification and record keeping for soil amendments, including compost and fertilizers, are required by the program.

Work Practices and Field Observations

Field audits verify that farmers are in compliance with the program’s requirements in the areas of worker practices and field sanitation.

How are the LGMA Food Safety Practices enforced?

All LGMA member companies are subject to mandatory government audits to ensure that the LGMA-accepted practices are being implemented. The audits are conducted by California Department of Food and Agriculture inspectors who received special training and certification from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the auspices of the National Good Agricultural Practices Program practices. The National Good Agricultural Practices Program was jointly developed by the USDA and the Federal Food and Drug Administration. LGMA member companies are audited by the certified government inspectors at least four times per year.

What happens if the LGMA Food Safety Practices are not followed by a member?

If an LGMA member is found to be out of compliance in any of these areas, that company is issued a citation. Each citation is recorded at one of four levels, ranging from a Minor Infraction to a Flagrant Violation. The LGMA Compliance Audit Process provides opportunities for member companies to take corrective action on citations that do not pose an immediate threat to food safety and public health. Flagrant Violations, which could result in a potentially unsafe product reaching the marketplace, result in decertification from the program and discontinued use of the LGMA Service Mark. In the case of Flagrant Violations, a special committee which includes California Department of Food and Agriculture personnel has been formed to make recommendations regarding penalties. The names of companies that have been decertified from the LGMA are posted on the members section of this website.

What is the Service Mark?

The LGMA Service Mark is carried on all sales documents, such as bills of lading and shipping manifests, so it is easily recognizable to buyers of leafy green products. Produce buyers help enforce the Service Mark when they only buy from LGMA member companies. For, example, Canada and Mexico require that all leafy green products imported from the State of California are from certified member companies of the LGMA. All LGMA members in good standing are listed on the members section of this website.