Celebrate Farmers Markets Month

Assembly Resolution No. 616 BY: M. of A. Barrett MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 2017, as Farmers Market Appreciation Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 2017, as Farmers Market Appreciation Month in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Farmers' markets provide consumers with access to a wide range of high quality, nutritious, farm fresh and processed New York State agricultural and food products; and WHEREAS, Farmers' markets build links in New York State between upstate and downstate, rural and urban communities; and WHEREAS, Farmers' markets bring healthy eating to neighborhoods that lack fresh foods, and to many individuals who might not otherwise be able to afford quality produce; and WHEREAS, Farmers' markets provide affordable, convenient, healthy food, as well as increased access to fresh fruits and vegetables, thereby promoting health and fighting childhood obesity; and WHEREAS, Local food supports the local economy; it keeps local family farms in business and family farms generally buy local; and WHEREAS, Farmers' markets contribute to the economic revitalization of the areas in which the markets are located; and WHEREAS, Local food builds community; when an individual buys directly from a farmer, they learn where their food comes from, engaging in a time-honored connection between grower and consumer; and WHEREAS, Farmers' markets promote food safety by humanizing the connections between growers and consumers and promoting local, sustainable farming; and WHEREAS, Talking with farmers educates consumers about the seasons, the land, and farming; farmers' markets create a place where families with children or grandchildren can learn about nature and agriculture; and WHEREAS, Local food preserves genetic diversity, as smaller local farms grow many different varieties to provide a long harvest season; and WHEREAS, Local farms preserve open space; farmers who improve their bottom line by marketing locally can afford to stay in their farms and are less likely to sell their farmland for development; and WHEREAS, Well-managed farms conserve fertile soil and clean water in our communities; the farm environment is a patchwork of fields, meadows, woods, ponds, and buildings that provide habitat for wildlife; and WHEREAS, Local foods that travel short distances use significantly less energy; for example, it takes 435 fossil-fuel calories to fly a five-calorie strawberry from California to New York; and WHEREAS, Local food is an investment in the future; supporting local farmers ensures that there will be farms in your community tomorrow; and WHEREAS, Farmers' markets help to develop local and regional food systems that support family farms, revitalize communities, provide opportunities for farmers and consumers to interact, promote environmental sustainability, and support our economy in New York State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 2017, as Farmers Market Appreciation Month in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.