USDA National Organic Program (NOP) Releases Updated List of Certified Organic Operations
(April 4, 2013) Santa Cruz, CA – Recently released figures indicate that CCOF Certification Services remains the largest USDA National Organic Program (NOP) certifier of organic products in the world. CCOF certifies 2,346 operations, serving 14% of USDA-certified organic operations. The California certifier gained 1% market share over the last year, more than any other organic certifier in the nation did. In addition to the premier organic certification program, the nonprofit CCOF (California Certified Organic Famers) is among the nation’s most influential advocates on behalf of organic.
2012 USDA-Accredited Organic Certifier Data Comparison*
In late 2012, CCOF became the first certifier to offer real-time online access to Organic System Plans (OSP). The organization has also tripled frontline phone service and engaged the NOP on barriers to certification and paperwork reduction. More information can be found in the CCOF Field to Forum blog at www.ccof.org/blog.
“2012 was an exciting year for CCOF,” said CCOF Chief Certification Officer Jake Lewin. “We’ve worked hard to deliver new and innovative services to clients, and believe these benefits have had a positive impact on client retention and acquisition. We have big plans for 2013.”
A list of operations certified by the National Organic Program (NOP) may be found at apps.ams.usda.gov/nop/.
*The figures above were compiled from data available at apps.ams.usda.gov/nop/.
About CCOF
CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers), a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1973 and is one of the nation’s oldest and largest third-party organic certifying agencies. CCOF certifies, educates, advocates, and promotes organic through:
- A premier organic certification program for growers, processors, private labelers, and retailers.
- Programs to increase awareness of and demand for certified organic product and to expand public support for organic agriculture.
- Advocacy for governmental policies that protect and encourage organic agriculture.
CCOF certifies more than 2,500 organic operations in 33 states and three foreign countries and serves over 240 supporting members – consumers, suppliers, businesses and individuals – interested in supporting its work.