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NY S05117

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/19/2025

Primary Sponsor

Robert Jackson

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2025-2026 General Assembly

AI Summary

  • Establishes a state program within the Department of Agriculture and Markets to purchase fresh produce exclusively from New York farms and distribute it to designated food desert areas

  • Requires the commissioner to develop eligibility criteria for food desert residents to receive fresh produce and for farms to register as program vendors

  • Mandates criteria promoting market participation by underrepresented farmers, specifically including Black, Indigenous, and farmers of color, with opportunities to re-establish farm ownership

  • Defines "food desert" using USDA standards, with additional consideration of access to fresh foods, area socio-economics, and distance to establishments offering healthy/organic foods

  • Takes effect 90 days after becoming law, with immediate authorization for rulemaking to implement the program

Legislative Description

Establishes in the department of agriculture and markets a program to purchase fresh produce from farms located in the state and distribute such produce to areas determined by the commissioner of agriculture and markets to be food deserts; promotes opportunities for farm ownership among under-represented farmers, including farmers who are black, indigenous, or people of color.

Last Action

REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE

1/7/2026

Committee Referrals

Agriculture2/19/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available