New 'PA Preferred Organic' Trademark Could Soon Be In Grocery Stores

HARRISBURG, PA — A new state-certified trademark specifically designating locally produced organic foods could soon be in grocery stores across Pennsylvania.

Legislation was passed through the General Assembly this month to create a PA Preferred Organic logo, which aims to improve sales for Pennsylvania farmers creating sustainable products.

“Pennsylvanians should be proud that their commonwealth is a national leader in organic agriculture sales, research, and farmer training thanks to organizations like the Rodale Institute," State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (D-Luzerne) said in a statement. "By making Pennsylvania-produced organic products more identifiable, our farmers would continue benefiting from this rapidly expanding market and industry."

House Bill 157 will now head to the Senate. It's not clear if it will have the support needed there to advance to Gov. Josh Shapiro's desk, but advocates said they were hopeful of bipartisan cooperation on the issue.

Pennsylvania is third in the nation in organic agriculture sales. Pashinski and supporters say the legislation will help consumers more easily identity these state products and help further support the local economy.

If approved, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture would develop a program logo, and would authorize grants from the existing PA Preferred program.