Grown & Certified: Food Safety Funding to Long Island Farmers Has Started to Flow
November 21, 2019
By Josh Halsey
Funding through the New York State Grown and Certified program – which provides support for agricultural and aquaculture producers who enroll in the statewide program – has started to flow on Long Island.
“With a commitment to only working with local, Long Island seafood, Haskell’s Seafood this year has expanded its facility and bolstered the equipment necessary to provide the highest level of food safety management possible."
Peter Haskell
Since we began outreach of this grant program in 2018, interest has been very high. So far, of the producers inquiring about the food safety cost-share funding, 9 have been reviewed by our local review committee and already approved for funding by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM).
Four of our local business have already received reimbursements of the amount they requested.
“With a commitment to only working with local, Long Island seafood, Haskell’s Seafood this year has expanded its facility and bolstered the equipment necessary to provide the highest level of food safety management possible,” explains Peter Haskell. “Participating in the NYS Ag and Markets program while implementing significant growth in our infrastructure has enabled synergies of the most important key points of New York State seafood; local wild caught seafood handled in small batches that ensures impeccable quality while placing paramount emphasis on food safety. We are proud to honor our maritime heritage in New York State along with all the hardworking men and women that provide access to our waters 365 days a year.”
Applicants can request up to $50,000 and the reimbursement is for 90 percent of their project cost. The Peconic Land Trust is administering the program on Long Island.
Applications for the program are still being accepted. Learn more >>>
Commercial oyster cultivation enhances water quality and promotes sustainable bluegreen economic opportunity on the Peconic Bay – one of eastern Long Island’s greatest natural resources. With the support of NYS grants we’re able to make critical investments in aqua-farming equipment that strengthen consumer confidence in locally grown seafood.
Joseph Finora, Hampton Oyster Company
Josh Halsey
Senior Environmental Programs Manager
JoshHalsey@peconiclandtrust.org