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.
Seafood/Aquaculture
Program Requirements
- NY Requirement: Labeled seafood is grown or landed (wild-caught) in New York State. Product must be species native to East Coast waters. Larvae, fingerlings and spawn may be purchased out-of- state, according to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) guidelines.
- Food Safety: Participants must adhere to time and temperature requirements set forth by NYSDEC and possess applicable Digger/ Dealer/ Shipper Permits. Shippers, dealers, and processors of aquaculture food products must possess a valid Article 20-C license and be 'in substantial compliance on most recent inspection. Wholesale processors of seafood items must be in compliance with HACCP requirements.
- Environmental: Participants must be in compliance with NYSDEC, town, and municipality permits, leases and licensing. Applicants must be up to date on all reporting requirements and free of fishery related infractions within the last year.
- Formulation statements: Any farmer/producer selling seafood marketed as NYS Grown & Certified must provide an annual formulation statement or signed attestation. For processors, certifications are product specific, not facility wide.
Application