NY S00337

Establishes a 9-member farm-to-school task force within the Department of Agriculture and Markets to study providing fresh foods in all school districts while supporting local New York agriculture and farmers from under-represented communities, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color farmers.

Task force members appointed by the Governor (2), Speaker of the Assembly (2), Temporary President of the Senate (2), Minority Leader of the Assembly (1), Minority Leader of the Senate (1), and the Agriculture Commissioner or designee who serves as chairperson.

Requires task force members to be appointed within 120 days and directs the task force to submit findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the Governor, Legislature, and Education Commissioner within one year of all initial appointments.

Directs the Education Commissioner to develop a program based on task force findings to require all school districts to provide fresh foods supporting New York local agriculture and increasing market opportunities for under-represented community farmers.

Requires the Education Commissioner to compile information from interested school districts about purchasing New York farm products and disseminate farmer contact information and product availability data, plus report to the Legislature on needed legal changes to facilitate such purchases.