MILTON, N.Y. -- The State Agriculture and Markets Commissioner stopped by the Hudson Valley Tuesday.

Commissioner Richard Ball toured Hudson River Fruit Distributors in Milton in order to promote the New York State Grown and Certified program, which the distribution company is a part of.

The program helps clients identify foods that are grown in New York. Farmers who volunteer to be in the program have food safety as well as environmental standards by which they have to abide.

There is no fee to join the program, and farmers can apply for state grants to help cover the costs of getting up to compliance.