Genesee County farmers may soon have an opportunity to see their products sold in urban farmers markets in New York City, thanks to a bill unanimously passed by the State Senate last month.
The program creates a revolving loan program to help entrepreneurs open farmers markets in NYC's urban neighborhoods, providing residents in those neighborhoods with fresh farm products from New York State farms.
“One of our goals as a state must be to put quality New York produce from our farms on the plates of New York consumers,” said sponsor, Senator Darrel J. Aubertine (D-Cape Vincent), a retired dairy farmer who continues to raise livestock and grow crops on his farm in Northern New York. “This legislation is an important step toward achieving that. By giving consumers the opportunity to buy the highest quality and freshest products from New York farmers, we are giving our farmers new opportunities to sell their products, bringing healthy foods to underserved communities, and helping our environment by encouraging people to buy local.”
Hat tip to Lorie Longhany for finding this bill.
This will be great for area
This will be great for area farmers. However (isn't there always a 'however'?)...I hope that those of us who patronize the local farmers throughout the growing season aren't penalized, pricewise, for the produce sent east.
If the local farmers price their produce by NYC standards, we will be hard put to continue buying from them.
I saw this happen in California. The farmers and ranchers had no reason to reasonably market thier goods at roadside stands and farmers' markets because the price they were getting for the same products in the big cities made attracting local business a thing of the past.
More markets for local
More markets for local farmers, better for our local agriculture driven economy.
Some food for thought: I see community gardens as a solution for making fresh food more affordable -- lets face it fresh food can be expensive -- even if the market demand keeps prices low. Garden space is not a problem for my family but for people that are apartment dwellers and people with limited access to green space forming a community garden can reap more rewards than just the harvest. Even in rural Genesee County these gardens could be very beneficial. Places like: school yards, vacant lots, the VA and other health facilities, 400 Towers, Birchwood Estates, Royal Apartments would all be great places to start community gardens. From this website - http://www.communitygarden.org/learn/
Benefits of Community Gardens:
* Improves the quality of life for people in the garden
* Provides a catalyst for neighborhood and community development
* Stimulates Social Interaction
* Encourages Self-Reliance
* Beautifies Neighborhoods
* Produces Nutritious Food
* Reduces Family Food Budgets
* Conserves Resources
* Creates opportunity for recreation, exercise, therapy, and education
* Reduces Crime
* Preserves Green Space
* Creates income opportunities and economic development
* Reduces city heat from streets and parking lots
* Provides opportunities for intergenerational and cross-cultural connections
Maybe Cornell Extension could
Maybe Cornell Extension could create a community garden on its property?