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A6427Assembly2009-2010 SessionSame asS6183

Finances the construction, reconstruction, improvement, expansion or rehab of wholesale regional farmers' markets that promote farm products grown in New York state

Sponsor Felix OrtizAD-51Affects Economy
Status
In Assembly Committee
Agriculture
Impact
Pending
Passage
Pending

Bill progress

Step 2 of 7

In committee · Agriculture

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Who cares

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Sponsors

Primary sponsor
Felix Ortiz

Assembly Member · Assembly District 51

No co-sponsors yet.

History

  1. Referred to agriculture
  2. Reference changed to agriculture
  3. Referred to aging

Companion bill

Full text

The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.

Sponsor's memo

Title of bill

An act to amend the New York state urban development corporation act, in relation to developing local and regional wholesale farmers' markets to promote foods grown in New York state

Purpose or general idea or bill

To provide Economic Development financing for construction and improvements to wholesale regional farmers' markets.

Summary of specific provisions

Adds a new paragraph j to subdivision 1 of section 16-m of Chapter 174 of the laws of 1968 creating the Urban Development Corporation. Paragraph j would provide loans and grants to businesses, municipalities, IDAs, economic development corporations, not-for-profits, business improvement districts, regional marketing authorities, agricultural cooperatives and other entities to finance construction, reconstruction, improvement, expansion, or rehabilitation of wholesale regional farmers' markets.

Justification

New York farmers produce some of the finest fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products anywhere and there is an increasing recognition of the taste, quality and freshness of these local farm products by chefs and consumers. Unfortunately, most food stores and restaurants in our larger cities find it difficult to buy wholesale direct from New York farmers because of the lack of adequate wholesale farmers' markets even though there is huge potential for sales. Food purchases from restaurants and other food services in NYC are expected to grow by $500 million in the next five years.

Providing financing for wholesale regional markets for new construction and renovations to meet the needs of these wholesale customers would help the farm economy by opening up valuable food service markets. A recent NYC Wholesale Farmers' Market study found that "...a New York City wholesale farmers' market would expand opportunities for mid-size and small producers of food and agricultural products from New York and adjacent states to sell their products directly to wholesale buyers in the city and that such a market facility - similar to those that have operated in NYC in the past - would also help meet the growing demand by thousands of NYC restaurants, retail stores, institutions and other wholesale buyers for locally-grown fresh farm products."

The economic benefits to farm regions from increased sales could lead to increased business activity and jobs in those communities and new jobs at the wholesale markets themselves. In addition, businesses and consumers in urban and suburban communities would benefit from the fresh, nutritious, quality food and meals available because of these projects.

Prior legislative history

2005/06 - A8001 Ref to Agriculture 2007/00 - A5025 - ref to Agriculture

Fiscal implications

Subject to budget appropriations.

Effective date

Immediately upon passage Contact: Task Force on Food, Farm & Nutrition Policy 455-5203

Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.