NY A03954

Establishes a New York State Council on Food Policy to develop comprehensive, coordinated state food policies promoting local farm and food products, food security, and healthy eating.

Council consists of 13 voting members: six appointed by legislative leaders, six by the governor, and the dean of the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, with an advisory board including state agency commissioners.

Council responsibilities include developing state food policy, expanding agricultural production, creating a strategic implementation plan, assisting local farm businesses (especially beginning farmers and underrepresented groups), building food infrastructure, and setting annual purchase goals for local farm products.

Council must issue annual reports by December 1st on its activities, recommended policies, progress toward goals, and necessary implementation actions.

Amends the state farm database to allow farms to indicate interest in supplying schools and requires coordination with the Council on Food Policy and state land grant university.