AMS No. 226-10

Soo Kim (202) 720-8998

Soo.kim@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2012--The National Organic Program (NOP) made available today a complete listing of organic operations certified by U.S. Department of Agriculture accredited certifying agents during the 2009 certification year.

For the first time, the listing, available at http://apps.ams.usda.gov/nop/, can be searched by keywords, name of operation, certifying agent, certificate numbers, primary and secondary scopes of certification, country, state, and products produced.

The database will serve as a useful tool to increase marketing opportunities for certified organic operations. It will also help consumers better locate sources of certified organic product.

“Information presented in the certified operations database should be very helpful in connecting producers, suppliers, and consumers of organic products,” said Miles McEvoy, NOP deputy administrator. “The NOP will continue to improve the quality of information it provides to the public.”

Up-to-date information concerning certified organic operations may be obtained by contacting operations’ respective accredited certifying agents. In January 2011, the NOP will begin receiving from accredited agents lists of operations certified as organic during 2010. Once it collects these updates, the NOP will consolidate and provide the newest information to the public.

#