The #GoodFoodNY Bill (S.7638B / A.8091B) just passed the New York State Legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support! This is a major step forward for New York farmers, workers, and communities. Led by Community Food Advocates and GoodFoodBuffalo, the strategy, partnership, and commitment of the NYS Good Food Purchasing Coalition that brought this legislation to this moment is deep and reflects years of organizing, collaboration, and persistence from farmers, labor unions, food councils, advocates, municipalities, and community organizations across the state. We’re eager to see this legislation headed back to Governor Kathy Hochul’s desk.
For too long, outdated procurement laws have forced municipalities to prioritize the lowest bidder when purchasing food for schools, hospitals, senior centers, shelters, correctional facilities, and other public institutions, even when that means bypassing New York farms and regional food producers.
The Good Food NY Bill gives municipalities the freedom to:
- Prioritize purchasing from New York farmers and food producers
- Pay up to 10% more for New York products
- Consider factors such as local economic impact, workforce standards, environmental sustainability, and supply chain resilience in food procurement decisions
At a time when New York farms are facing rising costs, climate pressures, supply chain instability, and the loss of federal support programs, this bill opens new pathways for local producers to access stable institutional markets in their own communities.
We are grateful to Senate Agriculture Chair Senator Michelle Hinchey and Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes for their steadfast leadership and commitment to advancing this vision. The ball is back in Governor Kathy Hochul’s court to sign the Good Food NY Bill into law.
Because public dollars should strengthen New York communities, not just reward the cheapest bidder.