What's happening
This bill creates a state program to fund and support community-based food security and economic development projects in low-income areas.
Why it matters
Targets root causes of food insecurity. by funding projects that build long-term community self-reliance, rather than just providing temporary food assistance, potentially reducing dependence on government programs.
Supports local economies and job creation. through initiatives like urban gardening, micro-enterprises, and farmers’ markets, directly tying food access solutions to economic development and workforce participation in low-income areas.
Strengthens connections between local farmers and underserved communities. , which could open up new markets for small producers and improve access to culturally appropriate, nutritious foods for residents.
Prioritizes sustainability and community involvement. , requiring funded projects to become self-sustaining and include local residents in decision-making, which may lead to more resilient and responsive food systems.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand Community Food Programs
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 14
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
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.
Support Community Food Projects
In Assembly Committee · Health · Sponsor Vivian Cook
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5309
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
April 24, 2019
Introduced by Sen. COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to creating a food security, empowerment and economic development program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Legislative intent. The legislature finds there is a need for community economic development to improve the food system in areas where there is an inadequate food supply and many residents who rely on fluctuating government and private food assistance. There is a need to develop food resources and businesses in these communities that provide higher quality, more accessible food. The legislature also finds that local farmers and food producers can and should benefit from these efforts.
The legislature further finds that as the federal government and New York state attempt to reduce dependency on government, there is a need to support families leaving public assistance for work. One approach to increasing work opportunities and addressing the food needs in these communities is through the development of "community food security", which is defined as people successfully obtaining an acceptable, nutritious diet using local non-emergency sources.
Community food security projects are designed to meet the food needs of low income people, increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for their own food needs, and promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm and nutrition issues. For example, these projects provide training in urban gardening and sales, assist entrepreneurs starting micro-enterprises, support farmers' markets in distressed neighborhoods and provide food-based educational opportunities for schools.
The legislature supports the goals of self-reliance, community-based economic development, profitable local agriculture, improved nutrition and helping families and individuals help themselves. Therefore, the legislature finds that the creation of a community food security program for New York state will benefit struggling working families and their
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07994-02-9
S. 5309 2
communities, provide new markets for family farmers, create food-based jobs and small businesses, and ensure healthier citizens and neighborhoods.
§ 2. The public health law is amended by adding a new article 27-FF to read as follows:
ARTICLE 27-FF
COMMUNITY FOOD SECURITY,
EMPOWERMENT AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Section 2790. Community food security, empowerment and economic develop-
ment program.
2791. Grants to organizations.
2792. Advisory council.
§ 2790. Community food security, empowerment and economic development program. The community food security, empowerment and economic development program is established within the department. Such program is established to support the development of community food projects designed to meet the food needs of low-income people, increase the selfreliance of communities in providing for their own food needs and promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm and nutrition issues. These projects will attempt to: increase the availability, in the targeted communities, of culturally acceptable, affordable, nutritionally adequate food, from local sources whenever possible; develop linkages between local farmers and communities served by the project; support job development and job training, including work experience required by welfare reform; support the development of entrepreneurial enterprises; promote good nutrition; encourage long-term planning and multi-agency involvement in the project; and, include community residents in decision-making.
§ 2791. Grants to organizations. The commissioner shall make grants for program projects, subject to the availability of funding, to community-based nonprofit organizations and local governments. In order to meet the goals of the program, applicants may create partnerships with other entities, including limited participation by for-profit enterprises.
Preference for these grants shall be given to projects located in communities with a significant percentage of the population participating in government and private food assistance programs.
Projects funded by these grants shall be designed to become self-sustaining, not dependent on continual grants from this program.
§ 2792. Advisory council. An advisory council shall be established to assist the commissioner in the development of the grant program and in reviewing applications for such grants. The council shall be composed of twelve members with expertise in community food security. Six members shall be appointed by the governor, two members shall be appointed by the temporary president of the senate, two members shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly, one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate and one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the assembly. These members shall serve at the will of the appointing authority. The commissioners of the office of temporary and disability assistance, agriculture and markets and economic development or their designees shall also participate in the advisory council.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to creating a food security, empowerment and economic development program
Purpose of bill
Develop demonstration projects to increase the self sufficiency of low- income communities in providing for their food needs.
Summary of specific provisions
Adds a new Article 27-FF to the Public Health Law creating the Community Food Security, Empowerment and Economic Development (SEED) Program. This program will support projects designed to: increase the availability of culturally acceptable, affordable, nutritionally adequate food, from local sources whenever possible; develop linkages between local farmers and communities served by the projects; support job development and training; support entrepreneurship; and encourage community collab- oration and decision mating in the development of projects. Projects will be designed to become self-sustaining.
An advisory council, composed of twelve members with expertise in commu- nity food security, shall assist the commissioner in the development of the programs and review of grant applications. Six members shall be appointed by the Governor, two by the Speaker of the Assembly, two by the Temporary President of the Senate, one by the Minority Leader of the Senate and one by the Minority Leader of the Assembly.
Effects of present law which this bill would alter
None.
Justification
Many low-income neighborhoods in the State lack food stores with afford- able, nutritious food. There is a need to develop food resources and businesses in these communities that provide higher quality, more acces- sible food. At the same time many New York farmers, struggling to remain profitable, are looting to expand their sales into near by markets.
Residents in distressed communities often rely on government food assistance which is being cut back. Those who lack adequate income and use up government assistance turn to emergency food providers who have also experienced cutbacks in donations of food. As the Federal Govern- ment and New York State attempt to reduce dependency on government, there is a need to support families leaving public assistance for work. One approach to increasing work opportunities and addressing the food needs in these communities is through the development of "community food security", which is defined as people successfully obtaining an accepta- ble, nutritious diet using local non-emergency sources. Community food security projects are designed to meet the food needs of low-income people, increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for their own food needs, and promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm and nutrition issues. For example, these projects provide training in urban gardening and sales, assist entrepreneurs starting micro-enter- prises, support farmers' markets in distressed neighborhoods and provide food-based educational opportunities for schools. This bill supports the goals of self-reliance, community-based economic development, prof- itable local agriculture, improved nutrition and helping families and individuals help themselves, The creation of a Community Food Security Program for New York State will benefit struggling working families and their communities, provide new markets for family farmers, create food- based jobs and small businesses, and ensure healthier citizens and neighborhoods.
Legislative history
Previously introduced - A.3442/2018
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
Subject to the availability of funding.
Regulation impact
Health Department regulations may be needed to specify the requirements for grant applications.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.