Focus your business motivation with a mission statement
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EmailMission statements are not just for business startups. All growers looking to be GAP compliant can benefit from a food safety-focused mission statement. Here’s how to craft an effective mission statement and the necessary components you may wish to include
One of the things we have learned in working with improving food safety is the importance of including a mission statement in a GAP Manual. The mission statement need not be long or involved, but it should explain who you are, what you do, and why you are motivated to do it. Keep in mind the intended audience as you write the mission statement. The mission statement should speak to food safety. You also want to make it as inspiring as you can so customers feel your passion for producing a safe food product
Below, you’ll find two sample mission statements put forth to give you several models. Look at how they are arranged and check to see that all the necessary information talked about above is incorporated in the samples.
Built on 75 years of success, Deep Furrow Acres continues the legacy of success in growing the best produce, from the furrow up. From our worker training program to our state of the art packing facility, everything we do provides the best tasting product. You have our word on it.
- At Maple Dell, we’re picky. From the cleanliness of our workers hands, to the fanatic attention to quality and freshness. We want to give you better than you expect every time. We think our pickiness pays off when you open a box of our produce and even more when you taste our product.
- In each case, the farm was clearly identified, as was the fact that they grew food. Safety was mentioned as important and various attempts were made to show that the farm took safety seriously. The intended audience of the mission statements was reasonably clear in most cases, primarily the customer and secondarily the auditor. In just about every case, attempts were made to convey an inspirational tone. These factors are all important to creating a great mission statement.
Growers with specific questions about mission statements or having difficulty tailoring GAPs to their farm are welcome to contact the Agrifood Safety Work Group at gaps@msu.edu or (517) 788-4292. To obtain a guide about writing a mission statement, ask for Guidance Document AFSM004-01.
