Overview
The New York State Grown & Certified program makes it easy for consumers to identify local, safely handled, and environmentally responsible agricultural products. This voluntary program is a cooperative effort among producers, processors, wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to meet consumer demand for high-quality food and agricultural products. Upon acceptance to the New York State Grown & Certified program, participants will be able to display a new high-impact label that will clearly stand out, telling the consumer their food handling practices are audited and they operate their farms in an environmentally responsible manner.
Program Requirements & Application
Program Requirements
- Applicability: Majority (51% or higher) of milk supply is from New York farms.
- Food Safety: Processing plant is in compliance with the required Plant Processor Supervisor (PPS) training, the plant demonstrates successful participation in a third-party food safety or safe food handling program with an annual on-site audit. On-farm processors can provide verification of participation in a safe food handling or processing training program, such as those offered by Cornell University in lieu of third party certification. Renewals must be submitted to the Department.
- Environmental: Every three years, producer or majority of producers are required to participate/renew in the Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) program, administered by their county Soil and Water Conservation district, with the completion of Tier 2 of the program (or higher). An alternative option is to have an active CAFO permit. Renewals must be submitted to the Department.
Formulation Statements: Formulation statements will be required for each product using the NYS Grown & Certified label. Certifications are product specific, not facility wide.
Ineligible for this program: Products from out-of-state plants, raw milk permit holders, New York State processors that source a majority of ingredients outside New York State.
Application