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Finances the construction, reconstruction, improvement, expansion or rehab of wholesale regional farmers' markets that promote farm products grown in New York state
In Assembly Committee · Agriculture · Sponsor Felix Ortiz
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
Section 1: Adds a new paragraph l to subdivision 1 of section 16-m of Chapter 174 of the laws of 1968 creating the Urban Development Corporation (UDC). Paragraph j would authorize the UDC to 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 large quantities of quality fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products. Currently, there is an increasing recognition by consumers, restaurants, and chefs about the taste, quality and freshness of these locally grown farm products. Unfortunately, most food stores and restaurants in our larger cities find it difficult to buy food products at wholesale directly from New York farmers because of the lack of adequate wholesale farmers' markets even though there is huge potential for sales.
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 - A.8001 Referred to Agriculture 2007/08 - A.5025 - Referred to Agriculture
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediate.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.