 |
|
Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor
|
Richard A. Ball, Commissioner of Agriculture
August 2016
|
|
|
|
This is a special edition of The Monthly Harvest, covering the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets' new program,
New York Grown & Certified.
|
|
Last week, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo officially
launched the
New York State Grown & Certified program, which focuses on food safety, environmental stewardship, and the promotion of local farmers and producers. We are dedicating this month's edition of The Monthly Harvest to providing more information about this exciting new initiative for our agricultural community.
Being a part of New York State Grown & Certified means that farms adhere to Good Agricultural Practices and Agricultural Environmental Management standards. Currently, we are inviting interested produce farms and dairy processors to join the program and, once registered, can proudly display the seal on their products to show that they are of the highest quality.
More than 100 vegetable and fruit farms from across New York State already qualify for the program. The NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets will work with New York producers across all commodities to assist them in qualifying for the voluntary certification program.
In this newsletter, you will find more information about the program, so whether you are a farmer, producer, or consumer, you can learn about the future of food safety in this state.
Sincerely,
Richard A. Ball, Commissioner
Department of Agriculture and Markets
|
|
What is New York Grown & Certified?
|
New York State Grown & Certified is the first statewide, multi-faceted food certification program designed to strengthen consumer confidence in New York products, address food product labeling, and assist New York farmers so they can take advantage of the growing market demand for foods locally grown and produced to a higher standard.
A marketing campaign will promote awareness of the program and highlight New York producers who meet New York State Grown & Certified standards. This includes on-product labels and promotional materials, such as a New York State Grown & Certified website, video and sales materials, to encourage program participation among producers and to educate retail and wholesale buyers - such as restaurants - on the value of the program. Consumer advertising and retail promotion will begin this fall.
View the New York State Grown & Certified website here. |
|
Why is this program so important?
|
|
Studies show that public interest in safe and healthy foods continues to grow, yet consumer trust in food is declining.
New York's vibrant agriculture and food industries position the state to set a national example for providing consumers with transparent and meaningful information about the food they purchase and eat.
This is the first state program in the nation to combine modern food safety standards with environmental stewardship to achieve a premium level of certification. It may also help farms prepare for potential regulation from the Food Safety Modernization Act. By certifying food at this level, New York is providing consumers with an assurance of quality in how and where the food is grown and produced, while promoting New York State producers who are meeting a growing market demand for foods that are safely handled and grown in an environmentally responsible manner.
|
|
|
What are the qualifications?
|
|
Progra
m participants must meet certification criteria, including participation in:
- The state's Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) program:
- Participation in New York State Grown & Certified requires completion of Tier 2 or higher in AEM.
Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) is a voluntary, incentive-based program that helps farmers protect important natural resources.
If you would like to schedule a free, confidential AEM Risk Assessment for your farm, contact your County Soil and Water Conservation District. To learn more about AEM or to locate your Conservation District office, visit www.nys-soilandwater.org.
- An independent annual food safety audit program like the U.S. Department of Agriculture Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) program, Global GAP, Safe Quality Food, or Primus:
- An annual audit certifies that fruits and vegetables are produced, packed, handled, and stored as safely as possible to minimize the risk of microbial food safety hazards.
If a producer participates, or would like to participate, in a food safety audit program that is not listed above, please verify eligibility with the Department of Agriculture and Markets.
Producers interested in learning more about how to become New York State Grown & Certified and how to qualify can contact the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets at 1-800-554-4501, or email NYSGrownAndCertified@agriculture.ny.gov.
|
|
What are the benefits to joining the program?
|
Extensive research shows that a "NYS Grown & Certified" label builds on existing positive perception that residents have of NYS produce, with people saying they would buy more (74%), pay more (49%) and favor food bearing this label over food that did not (96%).
Participants in New York State Grown & Certified will have access to the on-product label, which will promote awareness and highlight producers meeting the program's standards. Participants will also be featured on the New York State Grown & Certified web page, while promotional materials are designed to encourage program participation among producers, and to educate retail, wholesale, restaurant, and institutional buyers.
Becoming one of New York State Grown & Certified's qualifying producers will increase sales due to the resulting demand, while costing your business nothing to participate.
|
Producers interested in learning more about how to become New York State Grown & Certified and how to qualify can contact the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets at 1-800-554-4501, email NYSGrownAndCertified@agriculture.ny.gov, or fill out the form here.
|
|
|
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
10B Airline Drive, Albany, NY 12235
|
|
|
|
|
|
