Hannaford Carrying NYS Grown & Certified Farms’ Items

Hannaford Supermarkets is offering local products from farms participating in the New York State Grown & Certified program. The Ahold Delhaize banner is the first grocer in the state’s Capital Region to feature products grown and produced by New York farms that have been certified as using safe food-handling best practices and demonstrating environmental stewardship.

Products marketed under the New York State Grown & Certified seal are being sold 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,” said New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in revealing the collaboration with Hannaford. “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,” noted Dennis Martin, Hannaford’s director of operations for the Albany area. “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.”

At an Aug. 22 event at the Latham Hannaford, a New York State Grown & Certified display debuted, featuring herbs, tomatoes, cabbage and other produce from local farms. More products will be rotated into the display at the Latham store and the banner’s 48 other locations in the state, and sold under the NYS Grown & Certified seal throughout the season.

Additionally, the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets is working with three other retailers to market New York State Grown & Certified produce, dairy and poultry products. To further promote participating producers who meet the program requirements, New York State Grown & Certified deploys a multipronged marketing campaign consisting of such elements as on-product labels, a website, social media pages and promotional videos.

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

There are currently 64 fruit and vegetable growers, four poultry farms, and nine dairy processors taking part in the initiative, while retailers offering the products, besides Hannaford, include Tops Markets LLC and c-store chain Stewart’s Shops.

Scarborough, Maine-based Hannaford Supermarkets operates 180 stores in Maine, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont, employing more than 26,000 associates.