ALBANY – On April 29, farmers, food producers, food bank leaders, and community advocates from across New York State gathered together at the Capitol for a press conference and statewide advocacy day in support of the Good Food NY bill. The bill would give local governments and public institutions the tools to buy more New York-grown food, opening up critical markets for small and mid-sized farms.

The Good Food NY bill offers a timely, state-level response to the collapse of federal agricultural support as farmers head into a high-risk growing season. As critical federal food programs like the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Program and Local Food for Schools (LFS) Program are reeling from cuts on the level of $61.5 million to NY farmers – and millions more in federal funds are frozen and at risk of disappearing – we need concrete interventions that can offer farmer-focused solutions. The bill breaks down outdated procurement rules that often favor out-of-state bidders – even when local farms offer better quality and value. As federal dollars disappear, this legislation equips municipalities with a concrete tool to keep food dollars local, support producers and strengthen climate-smart local food systems through institutional purchasing.

Farmers, elected officials, food business owners, food banks, and members of the NYS Good Food Purchasing Program Coalition spoke, including:

•  Senator Michelle Hinchey

•      Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes

•  Allison DeHonney, Buffalo Go Green

• Wes Gillingham, Wild Roots Farm/Catskill Mountainkeeper/NOFA-NY

• Joanna Dorsey, Black Farmers United–NYS

•  Katie Baildon, Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York

•  Matt Mortellaro, Headwater Food Hub

• Josh Stephani, Adirondack Food System Network

• Gregory May, Island Harvest

•  Jessica Gilbert-Overland, Good Food Buffalo Coalition

• Taylor Pate, NYS-Good Food Purchasing Coalition/Community Food Advocates

Expert Quotes

“While the federal government disinvests in local agriculture – collapsing the markets farmers need to stay in business and canceling food deliveries meant to feed our communities – we are fighting for state-level policies like the Good Food NY bill that support New York’s family farms and build new pathways to deliver local, healthy food to our schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and all public institutions. I’m grateful to Assembly Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes and our Good Food Coalition partners for championing this bill with us, and I look forward to getting this timely and necessary legislation over the finish line,” said Senator Michelle Hinchey.

“It is more important than ever to pass the Good Food NY bill given the tumult and assaults on the agriculture sector coming from the federal government. It is time to update New York’s outdated food procurement laws and provide New York farms and food producers more opportunities to provide our public institutions with healthy local food. I look forward to working with Senator Hinchey and the NYS Good Food Purchasing Coalition to get this important law enacted,” said prime sponsor and Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples–Stokes.

“Food security is farm security. When we lose these funding streams, we’re not just cutting food – we’re cutting off reliable, stable markets for NYS farmers,” said Gregory May from Island Harvest Food Bank. “These funds weren’t just helping food banks meet demand – t hey were fueling local economies. LFPA alone connected local farms to food banks in at least six congressional districts. These programs are not partisan, they’re practical.”

“When these federal programs disappear, local governments are left to pick up the pieces – but right now, they don’t have the tools they need,” said Jessica Gilbert-Overland of the Good Food Buffalo Coalition. “This bill gives them the freedom and flexibility to choose NY grown food – and the producers who reflect their community’s values.”

“This bill doesn’t limit markets – it opens them,” said Wes Gillingham, a longtime New York farmer. Forcing schools and institutions to buy the cheapest product, from who knows where, makes absolutely no sense. Patients in hospitals heal faster and kids learn better with high quality food. What is more important than getting fresh local food to public institutions near us? As farmers and as parents, we get enormous satisfaction and motivation to keep farming, knowing that our produce is feeding our community. The Good Food NY Bill will open up that opportunity for thousands of farmers to nurture a healthier future and economy for all of NY.”

“This isn’t just about carrots and contracts,” said Taylor Pate of Community Food Advocates. “This is about giving our cities and counties the tools to feed communities nutritious food, support our farm economy, and lead with vision during uncertain times.”