Hochul Announces Funding to Bring Local Food to New York Communities – NBC New York (47)

NEW YORK – Governor Kathy Hochul announced Thursday that the United States Department of Agriculture has awarded nearly $ 38 million to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the New State Department of Education. York to further strengthen the resilience of the New York food system by providing a boost to New York farmers and greater access to local food.

The funding will create new opportunities to purchase locally grown and produced food to support New York farmers, including those who have traditionally been underserved, and to distribute those products to food-insecure communities and schools in New York.

“The Department of Agriculture and Markets and the State Department of Education have been instrumental in developing strong and mutually beneficial relationships between local farmers and the communities they feed,” Governor Hochul said. “These programs offer key economic opportunities for farmers and producers, while providing students and disadvantaged populations with access to fresh, healthy and nutritious locally sourced food. This partnership and additional funding builds on our many successful state programs.” . our farming community and feed our families, but also help strengthen the New York State food supply chain. “

As part of the funding, the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) received $ 25.8 million through the LFPA to implement the New York Food for New York Families program to create a resilient state government of the system. food that supports local farms and provides quality, nutritious food for communities facing food insecurity.

The food acquisitions will support local and traditionally disadvantaged farmers by creating and expanding economic opportunities and creating new marketing channels for them within the state, while ensuring that local food reaches New York’s needy families.

The Local Food for Schools program, run by the State Department of Education, will receive nearly $ 12 million to provide schools with additional resources to purchase local and regional food and drink to serve to children during the school day through Local programs. Food for Schools. School lunches and breakfasts. According to Governor Hochul’s office, these healthy and unique products will continue the state’s goal of improving childhood nutrition by building new relationships between schools and local farmers.

“I congratulate Governor Hochul on today’s announcement to support New York farmers by ensuring that schools and communities receive food from local vendors,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat. “As we strengthen food equity through locally grown produce, we can expand our efforts to combat food insecurity across New York State by providing families and communities in need.”

Thursday’s announcement builds on the state’s longstanding commitment to fighting hunger. The state has launched several innovative programs in recent years to improve access to locally grown healthy foods and bring New York-grown food and drink to disadvantaged communities and schools in New York State.

The 30 percent of the New York initiativethe state Farm-to-School program and child nutrition programs focus on buying more local produce from New York farmers and increasing healthy, nutritious local foods for New York school canteens.

“Expanding access to healthy and locally sourced foods for all New Yorkers while creating new markets to promote agribusiness is a top priority for our state and it’s critical that we have support on this front at all levels of business. government, “state Senator Michelle Hinchey said. “As we continue our work to make sure every child and family in New York has access to our local food supply, these federal funds will be incredibly helpful in stimulating new connections between schools, farms and disadvantaged communities.”