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Site inspectors
Food Alliance, via its partner organization International Certification Services (ICS), engages private contractors to perform on-site evaluations of applicants to the Food Alliance certification program.
Food Alliance has developed evaluation tools to verify on-farm practices and make recommendations for awarding certification. Farmers and ranchers must meet minimum thresholds in four areas: pest and disease management, soil and water conservation, human resource management, and wildlife habitat conservation to become eligible for certification.
Duties
Site inspectors have primary responsibility for representing Food Alliance to farm/ranch applicants during on-site inspections. Performance will be directly tied to the inspector’s ability to fairly and accurately evaluate applicants.
Site inspectors must possess sufficient training and experience to assess all criteria in the evaluation tools, including:
- Farm Planning and Record Keeping
- Soil/Water Conservation
- Crop Nutrition
- Pesticide Applications
- Integrated Pest Management
- Natural Areas Management
- Weather/Crop Monitoring
- Continuing Education
- Human Resources Management
- Safety Training
It is the site inspector’s responsibility to schedule and coordinate site inspections. Upon completion of an inspection, the site inspector will be required to submit a report detailing the findings, along with hard copies of all scored evaluation criteria. Inspectors may also be asked to participate in conference calls to discuss their recommendations and answer questions about their
inspection work.
Training
New site inspectors are trained by Food Alliance and/or ICS staff and mentored by current site inspectors. After receiving training, site inspectors are required to observe at least one (un-paid) on-site inspection conducted by an experienced Food Alliance site-inspector.
Conflict of Interest
Site inspectors have primary responsibility for representing Food Alliance to applicants during on-site evaluations. However, they receive no direct payment from applicants for any services, certification, consultation or otherwise. Inspectors sign an agreement kept on file at ICS pledging to operate under confidentiality and without conflict of interest. Site inspectors are required to disclose any potential conflicts in writing to ICS.
Food Alliance site inspectors are bound by a code of ethics designed to ensure:
- Confidentiality of the information provided by the applicant;
- No conflict of interest exists between the applicant and the inspector;
- Professionalism in representing Food Alliance.
Site Inspector Tasks
While performing on-site verification for Food Alliance certification, third-party site inspectors perform tasks in three distinct areas:
- Verify an operation’s fulfillment of Food Alliance’s fixed standards.
- Verify an operation’s fulfillment of Food Alliance’s scored standards.
- Make a professional recommendation on Food Alliance certification.
Expectations for Performance
| Action Items |
Time Frame |
| The site inspector receives a Food Alliance application from ICS and contacts the farm/ranch manager to set an inspection date and time that works for all parties. The site inspector then reports date of scheduled site inspection to ICS. Prior to evaluating the farm/ranch, the site inspector prepares by thoroughly reviewing the completed application. |
Contacts applicant within 1 week of receiving application. |
| The site inspector conducts an inspection in accordance with their training. The inspector is prompt, courteous, and service oriented. |
Conducts inspection within 3 weeks of receiving application. |
| Following the site inspection, the site inspector completes the site inspection report form. This report, along with all scored evaluation criteria, and an inspection invoice is sent to ICS. |
Sends report scored evaluation criteria, and invoice to ICS within two weeks of inspection. |
| If necessary, the site inspector will provide clarifications to ICS staff and/or Food Alliance Stewardship Councilors and participate in any appeals process. |
On an ongoing basis. |
| Site inspectors are paid directly by ICS. |
Invoice should be submitted along with reporting materials. |
Compensation
Site inspectors are considered independent contractors, and bill ICS at an hourly rate for the site inspections, report writing, and travel expenses.
If you have additional questions about inspectors, please contact our Certification Manager.
