Potato Sustainability Alliance Strengthens Program Credibility with Third-Party Verification

As sustainability expectations continue to rise across the food and agriculture supply chain, credibility matters more than ever. That’s why the Potato Sustainability Alliance (PSA) has taken an important step forward formally approving the implementation of third-party verification for the PSA Program.

This marks the first time PSA has introduced a formal, independent verification process, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to data-driven sustainability, grower trust, and continuous improvement.

A Milestone for the PSA Program

The PSA Program has long served as a trusted, grower-focused framework for measuring and advancing sustainability practices on potato farms. By adding third-party verification, PSA is strengthening the integrity of its on-farm assessment data while ensuring the program continues to evolve alongside grower needs and supply chain expectations.

“Verification reinforces the credibility of the PSA Program while staying true to our grower-focused approach,” said John Mesko, CEO of the Potato Sustainability Alliance. “This step demonstrates our commitment to continuous improvement and to providing credible, reliable data that reflects what growers are doing in the field.”

Importantly, this new process is designed to enhance confidence in PSA’s reporting without adding unnecessary burden for growers.

Why Third-Party Verification Matters

Independent verification provides an added layer of assurance that on-farm assessment data accurately reflects real-world practices. As customers, partners, and stakeholders increasingly rely on sustainability data to inform decisions, third-party review helps ensure consistency, transparency, and trust across the supply chain.

For PSA, verification supports its role as a credible source of sustainability information while maintaining the collaborative, non-punitive nature of the program that growers value.

for Credibility and Transparency

Verification reviews will be conducted by Where Food Comes From, PSA’s independent, third-party verification partner.

Where Food Comes From is a trusted leader in food and agriculture verification, with decades of experience supporting transparent, practice-based programs across the supply chain. The organization specializes in conducting impartial, respectful reviews that strengthen program integrity while minimizing disruption to farm operations.

“Where Food Comes From is pleased to partner with the Potato Sustainability Alliance on this important step,” said Kathryn Britton, Executive Vice President, Customer Experience of Where Food Comes From. “Verification plays a critical role in building trust and transparency across the food and agriculture supply chain. Our goal is to conduct on-farm reviews that support growers, strengthen data credibility, and help ensure sustainability programs reflect what is truly happening on farms.”

Looking Ahead

The addition of third-party verification represents a meaningful milestone for the PSA Program, one that reinforces grower trust while positioning the program for long-term relevance in a rapidly evolving sustainability landscape.

“We appreciate the continued support and participation of growers in the PSA Program,” Mesko added. “Verification is an important step forward in ensuring the program remains grower-focused, credible, and valuable for the long term.”

Additional resources will be shared to help growers understand and prepare for the verification process. For questions about PSA’s on-farm assessment, programming, or third-party verification, growers are encouraged to contact psa.program@potatosustainability.org.