BILL NUMBER: S8868
SPONSOR: HINCHEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to enacting
the New York state food security purchase and processing act; and making
an appropriation therefor
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Establishes the New York State Food Security Purchase and Processing Act
to create a permanent, state-funded food procurement program that
purchases food grown or raised by New York farmers, requires in-state
processing, and distributes food to communities facing food insecurity.
The program is designed to strengthen local and regional food systems,
support New York farmers and processors, and improve access to nutri-
tious food for the underserved communities while at the same time
promoting economic development and food system resilience statewide.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "New York
state food security purchase and processing act".
Section 2. Sets forth legislative findings and intent, recognizing
vulnerabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, the essential role of New
York farmers and food networks, and the success of prior federal food
procurement efforts. This section declares the necessity of a permanent
state program that purchases food from New York producers, requires
in-state processing, and distributes food to communities in need.
Section 3. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new
article 27-A to read as follows:
Section § 460 provides definitions relevant to the program, including
"eligible entity," "New York state food producer," "processing," and
"underserved community."
Section § 461 establishes the New York state food security purchase and
processing program within the Department of Agriculture and Markets and
outlines the program's purposes, including supporting underserved
producers, strengthening regional food systems, and promoting economic
development.
Section § 462 sets program requirements, including that not less than
ninety percent of funds be used to purchase food grown or raised and
processed within New York State, and prioritizes participation by small
to mid-sized farms, BIPOC and immigrant producers, and projects that
provide culturally appropriate food.
Section § 463 requires annual reporting on program expenditures, food
purchases, geographic distribution of funding, producer demographics,
and program impact, and authorizes the department to convene an advisory
committee of stakeholders.
Section 4. Appropriates thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) to the
Department of Agriculture and Markets for implementation of the program.
Section 5. Includes a severability clause ensuring the remainder of the
act remains effective if any provision is invalidated.
Section 6. Establishes that the act shall take effect immediately.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Among the travesties that came from the COVID-19 pandemic, it also
revealed significant weaknesses in the national food supply chain and
highlighted the absolute importance of strong, local food systems. At
the same time, New York's farmers, food processors, and emergency food
providers stepped up and demonstrated their ability to meet the needs of
their communities when supported through targeted public investment.
This bill builds upon those lessons by creating a permanent, state-fund-
ed program that will both reduce food insecurity and strengthen agricul-
ture viability as well as ensure that public dollars circulate within
New York's economy, particularly as the Trump administration eliminates
federal programs like the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program. Prior-
itizing underserved and socially disadvantaged producers also advances
equity in agriculture and food distribution systems.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
None
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
TBD
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.