AWA can help you to create high-impact, professional label for your certified products – and help to ensure that your label complies will all necessary food labeling laws. Our labeling team will work with you to create a branded, farm-specific, attractive label that reflects your farm values and helps to set your products apart. If you already have a farm brand, we can help to incorporate it into a professional and powerful marketing tool (for examples of successful labels see AWA’s Label Gallery). As with AWA certification, there is no charge for this service for certified farms.

How to Prepare and What to Expect

Before You Call: Think about what you want out of your label. Read the section, “How to Make the Most of Your Label” and decide what elements you want to include. Other useful background information and resources include “Meat Labeling 101” (AWA newsletter, Fall 2010) and “Labeling for Farmers” (Stewardship News, Spring 2011).

Initial Consultation: We are here to help make designing a label as simple as possible. After an initial consultation about what you are trying to achieve, we will request some basic information from you to ensure compliance with labeling regulations and to help create the label you want.

Designing the Label: Under your guidance, we will work with our designers to create a label that meets your needs. We can also suggest a range of approved marketing claims that you can use on your label to expand and maximize its appeal. We will also work with you and your processor to determine how best to print your labels. Please note it is the farmer’s responsibility to print labels.

Submitting for Approval: Once you are happy with the design we will complete and submit the necessary paperwork to USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) for their approval, or assist in submitting the paperwork to the appropriate state agency.

Approval: Once your design is approved you are free to print and use the label on your products.

Feedback on AWA’s Labeling Service

“I’m in your debt for your going above & beyond anything you are ‘required’ to do and I am ever so grateful!”
-Rhonda Williams, This Lil’ Piggy Farm

“We at Hunter Cattle are very thankful for your hard work, and for how great the labels have turned out.”
-Del Ferguson, Hunter Cattle Company

A note on inspection type: most farmers who sell meat will have it processed at a state- or federally-inspected facility. If you do, your labels must be approved by the appropriate state or federal agency. AWA can assist with this process. Farmers who sell eggs and dairy products are also subject to labeling requirements which vary by state. AWA can guide you to the appropriate state contact.

For more information contact Labeling Coordinator Emily Lancaster at Emily@AnimalWelfareApproved.org or (202) 618-4497.