Congratulations to Terrance Brisbane: Acting President of First Coast Business Alliance
September 11, 2025
Setting the Standard for Food Safety and Sustainability in Florida
FreshMinistries is proud to announce that Native Fresh, our aquaponics urban farm in Jacksonville, Florida, has once again achieved USDA Harmonized Good Agricultural Practices (Harmonized GAP) certification — one of the most rigorous and respected food safety audits in the nation.
This comprehensive certification combines and expands the standards of both Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP) into a single, unified audit that evaluates every aspect of food production, from field operations to post-harvest handling. Achieving certification demonstrates that every step of Native Fresh’s process meets — and exceeds — the highest national standards for food safety, traceability, and quality.
Even more remarkable, Native Fresh is the only aquaponics farm in Florida to hold this level of USDA certification, and the only farm of any kind in Northeast Florida with the Harmonized GAP distinction.
What Is USDA Harmonized GAP Certification?
The USDA Harmonized GAP program verifies that farms follow science-based systems to minimize contamination risks and ensure produce safety from seed to table. It incorporates the core principles of both GAP and GHP while adding enhanced requirements for water system mapping, worker health and hygiene, facility sanitation, and recordkeeping.
Auditors assess areas such as:
- Worker hygiene and training
- Agricultural and wash water quality
- Soil and growing media management
- Facility and equipment sanitation
- Traceability, recall procedures, and documentation
In Florida, audits are conducted by USDA or FDACS inspectors. Earning this distinction reflects Native Fresh’s commitment to excellence, transparency, and continuous improvement in every part of our operation.
Growing Opportunity from the Ground Up
Native Fresh operates at the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and community impact. Through a closed-loop aquaponics system where fish and plants grow symbiotically, we produce fresh, nutrient-rich vegetables year-round while conserving water and reducing waste.
Our harvests directly support the Jacksonville community — including the Duval County School System — providing safe, locally grown produce for students and families. By voluntarily undergoing USDA audits each year, we reaffirm our promise to uphold the strictest standards in food safety and environmental stewardship.
At FreshMinistries, we don’t just grow food — we grow opportunity.
Gratitude to Our Partners and Team
This achievement would not be possible without the dedication of our USDA auditors and the incredible Native Fresh team, who ensure that every head of lettuce, bunch of basil, and leafy green leaving our facility reflects the highest quality in the United States. Their passion and precision keep our operation thriving and our community fed.
Leading the Way for a Healthier Future
Food security begins with trust, accountability, and education. Native Fresh stands as a model of what’s possible when innovation meets purpose — helping FreshMinistries advance its global mission to eliminate poverty, promote self-sufficiency, and build sustainable communities.
From Jacksonville to the U.S. Virgin Islands and beyond, our aquaponics systems are empowering communities to grow their own fresh food, create jobs, and strengthen local economies.
USDA Harmonized GAP Certified
Only Aquaponics Farm in Florida with This Distinction
Supplying Fresh, Local Produce to Duval County Schools
Committed to Food Safety, Sustainability, and Community Impact
