Massachusetts Program Helps Consumers Identify Locally Grown Produce

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Reflecting a growing national focus on locally produced food, Massachusetts agricultural officials have announced the first farms certified under the state’s Commonwealth Quality seal program (CQP), a new state initiative designed to help consumers identify locally produced products.

Based upon the USDA Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) program, the sustainability standards adapted for CQP include practices such as integrated pest management (IPM).

“This program provides a unique opportunity for our agricultural community to exhibit its commitment to excellence, while offering consumers assurance that they are purchasing high-quality products from a local grower,” said Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) commissioner Scott J. Soares.

Composed of a combination of industry best management practices pertaining to soil health, water conservation, insect control, and food safety, these specialized standards serve as a prerequisite for farms certified to sell products using the Commonwealth Quality seal. There are currently 20 farms certified to participate in the program, which has endorsements from the New England Vegetable and Berry Growers’ Association and the Massachusetts Fruit Growers Association.

Launched in September 2010, the program has been gaining ground with prominent trade organizations and Massachusetts farms alike. More than 50 farms have applied for certification.

To become licensed to use the seal, applicants must perform a self-audit to determine their current level of eligibility and make improvements as needed before achieving certification through DAR. Agricultural goods also must be grown, harvested, and processed within Massachusetts in order to qualify. As additional agricultural sectors come on board, each will have its own domain-specific set of standards that focus on safety and sustainability.

“The Commonwealth Quality seal takes the guesswork out of determining what it means for a product to be ‘local’ or ‘sustainable’; it signifies that the associated product has been grown on a Massachusetts farm using approved practices for growing, harvesting, and handling,” said Steve Verrill, owner of Verrill Farm and Commonwealth Quality advisor. “The program promotes these practices by offering continuing education for participants, with emphasis on continuously improving sustainability, food safety, and soil conservation.”

The following farms are certified Commonwealth Quality producers:

* Allandale Farm, Brookline
* Billingsgate Farm, Plympton
* Brookfield Orchards, North Brookfield
* C.N. Smith Farm, East Bridgewater
* Cooks Valley Farm, Wrentham
* Davidian Brothers, Northborough
* Dowse Orchards, Sherborn
* Foppema’s Farm, Northbridge
* Four Town Farm, Seekonk
* Mann Orchards, Methuen
* Morning Sun Farm, Rehoboth
* Parlee Farms, Tyngsboro
* Pease Orchard, Templeton
* Pleasant Valley Gardens, Methuen
* Springdell Farm, Littleton
* The Farm Stand, Colrain
* The Farmer’s Garden, Rehoboth
* Verrill Farm, Concord
* Volante Farms, Needham
* Wilson Farm, Lexington

For more information, visit mass.gov/cqp