What's happening
This bill creates a task force to promote fresh, locally produced foods in all New York public schools and requires schools to support local agriculture.
Why it matters
Creates a formal structure for collaboration. By establishing a nine-member task force with appointments from both executive and legislative branches, the bill ensures diverse expertise and perspectives in crafting farm-to-school policies.
Potential for statewide impact on student nutrition. The requirement for all public schools to provide fresh foods sourced locally could lead to improved dietary quality for students across New York, not just in select districts.
Direct support for New York farmers and local economies. Mandating school districts to source food in a way that supports local agriculture could increase demand for New York farm products, benefiting farmers and rural communities.
Foundation for future policy adjustments. The task force’s report to state leadership may identify legal or logistical barriers to local food procurement, paving the way for further legislative or regulatory changes to strengthen farm-to-school efforts.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Fresh Local Food in Schools
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to agriculture
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7925
IN SENATE
March 3, 2020
Introduced by Sen. JACKSON -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to establishing a farm-to-school task force; and to amend the education law, in relation to requiring all public schools to provide fresh foods to students in a manner that supports local agriculture
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 5-b of section 16 of the agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new paragraph (d) to read as follows:
(d) Establish a task force to study and make recommendations on how to provide fresh foods in all school districts in the state while supporting New York local agriculture. Such task force shall be composed of nine members who shall possess expertise in issues relating to the work of the task force. Two members shall be appointed by the governor, two members shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly, two members shall be appointed by the temporary president of the senate, one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the assembly, one member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate and one member shall be the commissioner or his or her designee. The commissioner or his or her designee shall serve as chairperson of the task force. Members of the task force shall be appointed no later than one hundred twenty days after the effective date of this paragraph. Vacancies shall be filled within thirty days in the same manner provided for original appointments. No later than one year after all initial appointments have been made the task force shall make a report to the governor, the legislature and the commissioner of education of its findings, conclusions and recommendations.
§ 2. Subdivision 31 of section 305 of the education law, as added by chapter 2 of the laws of 2001, is amended to read as follows:
31. The commissioner shall cooperate with the commissioner of agriculture and markets in establishing a farm-to-school program and coordinating New York Harvest For New York Kids Week as described in subdivision five-b of section sixteen of the agriculture and markets law. The
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14389-03-0
S. 7925 2
commissioner's responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, developing a program based on the findings of the task force established pursuant to paragraph (d) of subdivision five-b of section sixteen of the agriculture and markets law, to require all school districts in the state to provide fresh foods to students in a manner that supports New York local agriculture, compiling information for the department of agriculture and markets from school districts and other educational institutions under the department's jurisdiction interested in purchasing New York farm products and disseminating to those districts and institutions information from the department of agriculture and markets about the availability of New York farm products, and contact information for farmers and other businesses marketing such products. The commissioner shall report to the legislature about the need for changes in law to facilitate the purchase of such products by schools and other institutions.
§ 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 agriculture and markets law, in relation to estab- lishing a farm-to-school task force; and to amend the education law, in relation to requiring all public schools to provide fresh foods to students in a manner that supports local agriculture
Purpose
The purpose of this legislation is to create a task force for urban and rural agricultural regions to work with school food providers and farm- ers to develop recommendations that will provide fresh foods in all New York State public schools while supporting local agriculture.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 establishes a task force that will study and make recommenda- tions on how to provide fresh foods in all school districts in New York while supporting local agriculture. The task force will consist of 9 members who shall possess expertise in issues relating to the work of the task force. The task force members shall be appointed as follows: 2 members by the governor, 2 members by the speaker of the assembly, 2 members by the temporary president of the senate, 1 member by the minor- ity leader of the assembly, 1 member by the minority leader of the senate, and the commissioner, or their designee, of the Department of Agriculture and Markets. The commissioner, or their designee, shall serve as the chairperson of the task force.
Section 2 amends Subdivision of Section 305 of the Education Law by requiring the commissioner of the State Education Department to develop a program based on the findings of the task force to require all school districts to provide fresh foods to students in a manner that supports local agriculture.
Section 3 is the effective date.
Justification
This bill will build a bridge between our state's schools and the bounty of New York's farms. It will help us accomplish three major goals: first, provide the best quality fruits and vegetables available to schools in every school district in our state; second, help establish healthy eating habits for children in their formative years; and third, help guarantee the future of farming in New York. This will be a win/win situation for students, educators, school districts, and the state's agricultural community.
Legislative history
New bill.
State and local fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first of January succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.