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Several proposals were announced by Governor Hochul to farmers in the state to provide an economic boost as well as help strengthen the state’s food supply chain.
The farming industry within the state has faced difficulties since the COVID-19 pandemic, it also showed vulnerabilities to the food system during the supply chain crisis. Governor Hochul looks to increase demand for NYS foods by having the state dramatically increase its spending of local farm products, promote investments to help modernize state farms, and continue to build an agricultural workforce for the future.
“New York’s agricultural industry is essential to our economy, our communities, and our way of life, and we are taking a whole-of government-approach, to support New York’s agricultural community,” Governor Hochul said. “These initiatives will take critical steps to help the agricultural community prosper – providing an economic boost to New York farmers and securing the State’s food supply chain.”
Currently, the state spends $4 million dollars on foods grown in the state. The new plan would have the state purchase nearly $400 million dollars worth of farm products from producers throughout the state. Another $50 million dollars over the course of 5 years would go to local school districts to support cooking facilities for use of local farm products in meal preparation for K-12 school children.
