Farmers have asked Iowa Valley RC&D for guidance to set up a low cost, food safe, GAP certifiable, and efficient space for washing and packing produce. With funds from the North Central Region Center for FSMA Training, we designed and constructed a temporary pack shed structure and created an instructional building guide to enable anyone to construct the pack shed on their own. The simple structure, based on a prefabricated carport, costs around $4000 and incorporates food safety principles in its materials and design. This pack shed is ideal for tenant farmers who do not have the option for permanent structures but it can accommodate any small to medium diversified vegetable producer.
The Handbook includes a full list of materials and tools, step-by-step instructions, and some food safety recommendations for using the structure.
