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
- NY Requirement: 100% of honey is harvested in New York.
- Food Safety: Requires a passing score (90%) on the Honey Food Safety Best Practices Manual test. Products are labeled according to standards set in the Best Practices Manual. If adding any ingredient other than honey, a 20-C license is required, and a NYS Grown & Certified Processed Product Application must be submitted.
- Environmental Stewardship: Requires apiary yard registration at https://agriculture.ny.gov/plantindustry/honey-bee-health, inclusion of Beekeeper ID number and a biennial Honey Bee Health inspection by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets apiary inspectors.
- Formulation Statements: Formulation statements will be required for any value added/processed product using the NYS Grown & Certified label. Certifications are product specific, not facility wide.
Application