OPMA
Ohio Produce Marketing Agreement
The Ohio Produce Marketing Agreement (OPMA) is a grassroots effort led by Ohio’s agriculture community to take charge of food safety in our state and nation. It is a statewide network of farmers, standards and inspections that are realistic, sensible and affordable.
- It is a regulatory third-party certification that fits your farm with standards that make sense and can be implemented by anyone.
- The program is a three-tier system that lets you pick your place in Ohio agriculture, whether you are servicing a farmers market, auction, organic farmer, small roadside grower, co-op, or selling to a market chain or nationwide broker.
- It is governed by farmers with an advisory board of your peers who understand how to farm and have the same problems, concerns, and issues that you face every day.
- The inspection program is designed and conducted by experienced and educated individuals from Ohio who understand your farm.
- Participation is very affordable – there’s no need for high priced third party audit fees.
- While developed for agriculture in Ohio, anyone nation-wide can become a member and utilize the benefits of the certification. The standards, processes and inspection system are universally applicable and are compliant with International Standards Organization 17065 (ISO 17065).
