New Mexico Chile Association Launches Certification Program to Protect State's Signature Crop

LAS CRUCES, N.M., Aug. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- New Mexico's Chile farmers and processors are joining an effort to protect their peppers from counterfeiters looking to profit from New Mexico's famous Chile reputation.

On Tuesday, August 19, 2014, 12:30 p.m. Governor Martinez will announce the New Mexico Certified Chile™ program at The Range in Bernalillo.  The Range is the first New Mexico restaurant to sign up for the program.  The program will allow New Mexico Certified Chile to join other well-known products such as Vidalia Onions™ and 100% Pure Florida™ as certification programs supporting signature state or regional crops.

"Red or green is a question New Mexicans answer every day at breakfast, lunch, or dinner," said New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez. "Chile is a way of life in our state, ingrained in our culture and our economy. It supports more than 4,000 jobs and contributes more than $400 million every year to New Mexico's economy. The one question no one should ever has to ask is, 'Is this chile really New Mexican?' This program further cements the status of New Mexico Chile on par with other nationally-renowned state and regional products."

The New Mexico Chile Advertising Act of 2011 made it illegal to advertise any product as New Mexico Chile unless grown in the state. The New Mexico Certified Chile program builds on this legislation, giving consumers confidence that they are using the finest New Mexico Chile.  

"We are confident we can continue to expand markets for New Mexico Chile as consumers understand there is no imitation of the original," said Dino Cervantes President of the New Mexico Chile Association. 

The program will allow the New Mexico Certified Chile mark to be placed on products to assure consumers that their Chile is authentic.

Bueno Foods, Penn Farms and John Brooks Supermart are the first in their industries to sign up for the program.  Consumers can find other growers, products, retailers and restaurants using New Mexico Certified Chile at www.getnmchile.com.

About the New Mexico Chile Association
The NMCA's mission is to reinstate New Mexico as the world leader in chile production, processing and innovation, ensuring the viability and prosperity of the industry.

SOURCE New Mexico Chile Association