Athens Farmers Market - Athens, Ohio

AFM Verified Local Growers Initative
A Pilot Project 2009


Objective:
To uphold the highest standards of quality and accountability by verifying local production of fresh foods sold at Athens Farmers Market.



The value of knowing where one’s food comes from is becoming increasingly important to consumers everywhere.



why we care

Farmers Markets, forever seen as a beacon for fresh, quality food grown by small producers on family farms, are facing undue competition from wholesale products that oftentimes come into markets, disguised as a locally grown product. These “local imposters” drive down prices for everyone, and erode the standards of excellence expected by all. Farmers Markets nationwide must uphold the highest standards of accountability, and use sophisticated means to ensure that the products being brought to Market are indeed locally grown. AFM intends to join the nation’s best markets in source verification by use of an inspection process that allows us to track products directly from the field to the Market. AFM Verified Local Growers will undergo a thorough examination that guarantees total product accountability. Customers can trust that Verified Growers are Local Growers.

how it works...

AFM Growers of fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, and dairy may apply to the AFM Verified Local Growers Association. Growers will submit to a voluntary inspection of their farm premises, conducted by an OSU Extension Educator, assisted by an AFM representative. Following a one hour inspection of farm premises, seed source records and other pertinent documentation, inspectors and a full panel of AFM committee members will review the grower’s application and approve or deny grower as “Verified Local”. A certificate, valid for the entire growing season, will be issued to those growers who meet or exceed expectations set forth by AFM.

Verification procedures

The Farm Verification Visit will include tour of all farmland in production. Review of documentation, such as:
-Proof of land ownership/contract
-seed records/orders for season
-map w/ field locations
Discussion of anticipated crop
yield and losses with inspectors.

application process

Eligible Growers include:
-fruit growers
-vegetable growers
-meat and egg producers
-dairy producers
Growers may apply from March 1st - August 1st, 2009
Inspections will be done within 30 days after application is received
Application reviews conducted monthly; certificates issued at the beginning of each month
On-site Market inspections will occur at some point during the season to verify that the products grown are the products being sold
Appeals may be filed with subcommittee and reviewed by AFM Executive Committee
Cost: $30 (covers mileage for inspectors and minimal advertising costs)
Use this link to download the application in .pdf form: applicationform2.pdf
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