On Dec. 20 VAP achieved Global Food Safety Certification (GFSI) for the first time. VAP received the coveted AA status. The cooperative has historically been audited on General Manufacturing standards (GMP), but over the last three years they initiated steps to achieve Global Standards. The audit was conducted using the British Retail Consortium model (BRC).

“The decision to achieve this level of certification really started three years ago due to a move by many in the food industry who require meeting these standards” said Dirk Merle, CEO of VAP. He went on to say that “The biggest retailers, partners, and potential partners require this certification level and this positions VAP to have more strategic alliances.”

Merle said, “I couldn’t be more thrilled for our most important customer, our team. We are fortunate to have an amazing group of people who make VAP their home. Our production and quality assurance teams worked hard to make history,” he said.

“We are in the middle of a fundamental culture shift where we are striving to emphasize the three Cs: our customers, our cooperative, and the Alva community. Today all three benefits from this achievement.”