What's happening
This bill sets a goal for SUNY campuses to purchase at least 20% New York state food products, allowing preference for qualifying bids within 10% of the lowest price.
Why it matters
Supports New York agriculture and local economies. by directing SUNY campuses to prioritize purchasing food items grown, harvested, or largely made from New York agricultural products, potentially increasing demand for state farmers and processors.
Balances cost with local preference. by allowing SUNY to favor New York food products even if they cost up to 10% more than the lowest bid, making it easier for local producers to compete against larger, out-of-state suppliers.
Encourages transparency and tracking. of food procurement at public universities, likely requiring better record-keeping and reporting on sourcing, which could drive greater accountability and awareness of institutional spending.
May influence broader institutional and public procurement. by setting a precedent for other agencies or educational systems to adopt similar local purchasing goals, amplifying the potential impact across the state.
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Who cares
SUNY procurement officials
The bill would establish a goal that 20% of food purchases by public universities be New York state food products by 2021 and allow a preference in SUNY food contracts for qualifying bidders.
New York farmers and food producers
The purchasing goal and bid preference could expand campus demand for food grown, harvested or produced in the state.
Food processors and distributors
Processed foods would qualify if more than 51% of their agricultural raw materials, by weight or volume, come from New York, even if processing occurs outside the state.
SUNY food contract bidders
Otherwise qualified bidders supplying New York state food products could receive preference over competitors if their bid cost is no more than 10% higher.
Headline styles
Require SUNY Buy NY Food
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Assembly Member · Assembly District 127
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Print number 9555a
- Amend and recommit to governmental operations
- Referred to governmental operations
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Buy Local Food for SUNY
In Senate Committee · Finance · Sponsor Rachel May
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
9555--A
IN ASSEMBLY
January 24, 2020
Introduced by M. of A. STIRPE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the state finance law, in relation to establishing procurement goals for New York state food products on SUNY campuses
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 163-c to read as follows:
§ 163-c. Procurement goals for New York state food products on SUNY campuses. 1. For the purposes of this section, the term "New York state food product" shall mean a food item that is:
(a) grown, harvested, or produced in this state; or
(b) processed inside or outside this state comprising over fifty-one percent agricultural raw materials grown, harvested, or produced in this state, by weight or volume.
2. (a) In order to create, strengthen, and expand local farm and food economies throughout New York, it shall be the goal of this state that twenty percent of all food and food products purchased by public universities, shall, by two thousand twenty-one, be New York state food products.
(b) To meet the goals set forth in this section, when a SUNY contract for the purchase of food or food products is to be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, an otherwise qualified bidder who will fulfill the contract through the use of New York state food products may be given preference over other bidders, provided that the cost included in the bid of New York state food products is not more than ten percent greater than the cost included in a bid that is not for New York state food products.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14349-05-0
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.