Sep. 2—A year after signing an executive order to increase the state’s sourcing of local food from farmers and producers, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday at the Great New York State Fair that state agencies and authorities have surpassed the state’s first year goal of 5% to nearly 15%.
According to a news release from her office, Hochul signed the executive order on opening day of last year’s state fair, directing state agencies to increase the percentage of food sourced from New York farmers and producers to 30% of their total purchases within five years.
“We’re so lucky to have access to some of the best food in the world, grown and produced right here in our own backyard,” Hochul said. “Agriculture is the backbone of our state, which is why we made a promise one year ago to increase the amount of food State agencies must buy from local growers and producers. In just one year alone, we’re already ahead of schedule in continuing to invest in New York’s growers and producers, and we’re not stopping there. We will continue taking action to support our farmers and the future of our agricultural industry for decades to come.”
The order directed the Office of General Services to ensure its centralized food contracts highlight sourcing from New York producers, the release stated.
It requires agencies to report food purchases, including those purchased through contracted service providers, to OGS to ensure the goal is being met. The 30% goal is incremental, the release said, with agencies expected to purchase 5% of their food products from New York by the end of 2023; 15% by the end of 2024; 20% by the end of 2025; 25% by the end of 2026; and 30% by the end of 2027.
Within the first year, according to the release, state agencies and authorities already exceeded the goal, reaching nearly 15% of food purchased from within New York. About $78 million in New York food products was purchased by state agencies and authorities in 2023, up from $14.9 million purchased in 2022.
Additionally, the Department of Agriculture and Markets and OGS have convened the Procurement Working Group, which includes representatives from the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, the Office of Mental Health, and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, Department of Health, Office of the Aging, along with other state agencies that purchase food, the release stated.
The group, working with the New York State Procurement Council, “is working to identify opportunities to increase the purchase of New York State food products, recommend guidance to assist state agencies in increasing the amount of New York State food product they purchase, and recommend data collection and reporting requirements to achieve the executive order’s goals,” the release stated.
AGM and OGS have launched new webpages recently, also found on the governor’s website, to connect institutional buyers with New York farmers, producers and processors.
The executive order also encourages county and municipal governments, as well as local school districts, to join in meeting the target.
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