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Funds available to North Country farmers for promoting New York State Grown & Certified products

Posted 8/15/18

Several new initiatives have been recently announced “to support New York State Grown & Certified participating farms and businesses, and drive consumer demand for New York's agricultural …

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Funds available to North Country farmers for promoting New York State Grown & Certified products

Posted

Several new initiatives have been recently announced “to support New York State Grown & Certified participating farms and businesses, and drive consumer demand for New York's agricultural products,” according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office.

Nearly $500,000 in funding is available for producers and retailers to help offset the cost of new packaging and on-product labeling, as well as in-store signage to increase brand recognition of Grown & Certified products. The New York State Grown & Certified program “promotes New York agricultural producers and growers who adhere to food safety and environmental sustainability standards,” according to a news release from the governor’s office.

The marketing program has made $250,000 available to eligible existing and new “Grown & Certified” food and beverage producers and processors. Applicants can apply for up $5,000 to facilitate the long-term use of the brand seal on packaging and at a point-of-sale location, Cuomo’s office said.

An additional $225,000 in funding is available for retailers to develop a long term in-store consumer marketing campaign that promotes Grown & Certified products. Retailers can apply for a maximum of $20,000 for point of purchase and promotional items, such as in-store signage, shelf slides, and cooler clings that assist in the promotion of New York's specialty crops, including produce, fruit, maple, wine and hard cider, nursery, Christmas trees and greenhouse crops, dairy, livestock, and shellfish products, according to the governor’s office.

Funds are available on a first come, first serve basis until Aug. 31. Application materials and additional information are available on the Department of Agriculture and Markets' website.