Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a partnership with Hannaford Supermarkets to promote local products from farms participating in the New York State Grown & Certified program. Hannaford is the first grocer in the Capital Region to feature products grown and produced by New York farms that the State has certified as using safe food handling best practices and demonstrating environmental stewardship. Products sold under the New York State Grown & Certified seal will be available at all 49 Hannaford stores in the Capital Region, Central New York, Mid-Hudson and North Country.

 “The Grown & Certified Program shines a spotlight on New York’s world-class agricultural products, supporting farms in communities across our state that in-turn strengthens local economies,” Governor Cuomo said. “This partnership is a win-win that will help connect consumers with high-quality foods from their communities and bolster the hard work of our farmers.”

 “This program offers New York shoppers a great tool for identifying locally-grown products and recognizing the nearby farms that produce that food. We are excited to partner with New York State on this initiative,” Dennis Martin, Hannaford’s Director of Operations for the Albany area, said, “At Hannaford, we understand the value to our customers and to our community in offering a wide selection of high-quality, fresh items grown and produced right here.”

 A New York State Grown & Certified display was unveiled at an event today at the Latham Hannaford Supermarket & Pharmacy, featuring herbs, tomatoes, cabbage and other produce from farms in the Capital Region, Mid-Hudson and Western New York. Additional products will be rotated into the display and showcased under the NYS Grown & Certified seal throughout the season. Certified products also will be highlighted in Hannaford’s other 48 stores in New York.

 In addition, the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets is working with three other retailers throughout the State to market NYS Grown & Certified produce, dairy and poultry products. To further promote participating New York producers who meet the program requirements, NYS Grown & Certified is supported by a multi-pronged marketing campaign, including on-product labels, website, and social media pages. Several promotional videos, available here and here, were also created to give consumers an inside look at some of the NYS Grown & Certified farms.

 State Agriculture Commissioner Ball said, “Agriculture is a major driver of our economy and New York has some of the very best growers and producers. They work hard to protect the environment and produce delicious, high-quality foods for our families. We are excited to be teaming up with Hannaford to promote even more of these incredible products and help consumers identify them in their local store.”

 Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair Bill Magee said, “Hannaford’s customers will now have access to top quality New York grown and certified fresh produce, with the all the confidence the NY Grown and Certified label provides, fresh off the local farm trucks. The NY Grown & Certified label assures the highest standards of food safety and environmental stewardship.”

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Patty Ritchie said, “More and more people are looking to add that delicious and nutritious local touch to their favorite meals by using products grown by New York’s hard working farmers. I would like to thank the Governor and Commissioner Ball for recognizing the importance of this new partnership between the NYS Grown and Certified Program and Hannaford Supermarkets, which will shine the spotlight on products grown right here in our state, which will help boost the bottom lines of family farms and help the agriculture industry thrive.”

 Chairman of the New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee Dale Stein, said, “Many of New York’s farmers take extra steps to not only produce great tasting food, but to make sure they are being good stewards of the land. Through the New York State Grown & Certified program, farmers have the chance to share that message with consumers, letting them know that the food they are buying meets higher environmental standards as well as food safety standards. We are proud to work with the State and farmers across New York to continue this great work.”

 Chris Watkins, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension said, “Cornell is delighted that Hannaford is working with New York State to promote the NYS Grown & Certified program to expand economic opportunity for farmers and local consumption of healthy, homegrown fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. Cornell Cooperative Extension is excited for the opportunity to provide food safety and quality expertise and training programs, and promote agronomic practices that are environmentally sustainable, that form the basis for further economic development.”

 Michael E. Rosen, President & CEO, Food Industry Alliance said, “Grocers are excited about the NYS Grown & Certified Program, which combines three elements important to consumers – locally grown, food safety and environmental protection standards. This is a real win for shoppers who want to support New York farmers, but also care about food safety and protecting the environment.”

 Phyllis Underwood, Owner of Shushan Valley Hydro Farm, said, “We are excited to be part of the NYS Grown & Certified Program.  We feel it is a win-win for our farmer, the Hannaford Stores, and most importantly our customers. Consumers will be able to easily identify and buy with confidence local produce that has been grown with a certified food safety plan and with environmentally sustainable practices.”

About New York State Grown & Certified

Governor Cuomo launched the NYS Grown & Certified program in August 2016. The program identifies and promotes New York producers who adhere to food safety and environmental sustainability standards, assuring consumers that the food they are buying is local and produced at a higher-standard. It requires that producers be verified for safe food handling practices and enroll in State’s Agricultural Environmental Management program.

 There are currently 64 fruit and vegetable growers and four poultry farms representing nearly 37,000 acres of farmland in the State, and nine dairy processors representing more than 1,300 New York farms participating in the program.  For more information on NYS Grown & Certified, please visit certified.ny.gov, or follow New York State Grown & Certified on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 About Hannaford Supermarkets

 Hannaford Supermarkets, based in Scarborough, Maine, operates 180 stores in the Northeast. Stores are located in Maine, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Hannaford employs more than 26,000 associates. More information and a full list of store locations can be found at www.hannaford.com.