Food Alliance Certification Program Relaunch

Food Alliance Certification Program Relaunch

In partnership with clients determined to preserve the program, the non-profit Food Alliance has relaunched its third-party certification for farmers, ranchers, processors and distributors that implement sustainable agricultural and food handling practices. All current Food Alliance certifications will continue under existing terms. Food Alliance is prepared to receive new certification applications, and will begin conducting new farm and facility inspections starting October 2013. In February of this year, Food Alliance announced it was suspending operations, citing funding challenges Food Alliance's authorized representative Matthew Buck shares that that restructuring will be moving from relying on grants to more of a business model. Buck: "So it is really about putting the organization on a business basis. It was always a goal for Food Alliance, even though it was a non-profit, to make the certification process profitable and circumstances have just forced us to excelerate that approach." Buck says that the organization is unique in the services it provides farmers, processors, distributors as well as consumers. Buck: "I think it is important that folks know that Food Alliance represents the most comprehensive standard for sustainable agriculture and food handling practices. Food Alliance is the only certification program that covers both environmental concerns and social concerns -- so safe and fair working conditions and humane animal treatment. That really makes the program unique and adds a lot of value to the buyers, who we know are concerned about more than just chemical use. They are really concerned about what happens with the people and with livestock in agriculture as well."
Previous ReportLandowner Liability And Agritourism Operation
Next ReportBack to School with Safe Lunches