Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order Wednesday from the Great New York 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.
Hochul also signed legislation bringing together students at the New York State Fair to develop innovative agricultural technologies, as well as an order supporting smaller and newer fairs across New York while promoting youth involvement in agriculture and domestic arts. New York State agencies currently report spending nearly $4 million on New York food; the legislation would aim to procure and purchase nearly $400 million worth of food from New York farmers.
The executive order also encourages county and municipal governments, as well as local school districts not already taking part in New York’s 30% school initiative, to join in meeting this target.
