NY S03242

Changes the commissioner of agriculture from may to shall convene a community gardens task force to identify ways to encourage establishment and expansion of community gardens.

Requires task force membership to include at least two representatives from organizations dedicated to promotion, expansion, or protection of community gardens.

Adds new task force goals including developing after-school programs for community gardens and encouraging garden development in food deserts as defined in agriculture and markets law section 260.

Requires the task force to submit reports to the governor and legislature by January 1, 2020 and every five years thereafter, including data on number and location of gardens, funding sources, barriers to expansion, and an action plan to double the number of community gardens statewide.

Commissioner must maintain records and data between report due dates to respond to information requests from the governor and legislature.