ALBANY – A legislative proposal sponsored by State Senator Michelle Hinchey (D, Saugerties) to create food procurement goals for state agencies has been included in Governor Kathy Hochul’s executive budget plan for fiscal year 2024 as an add through executive order.
Hinchey urge for her proposal to be included, instead, in the state budget process.
“Expanding access to healthy, locally-sourced food while supporting our New York farmers is a hallmark of our work in the Senate Agriculture and Food Committee, and I’m honored that my proposal to set first-ever food procurement goals for state agencies has been included in the governor’s budget address,” the senator said.
While Hinchey said the executive order is helpful, “I believe an economic growth opportunity this important should be codified in state law through the budget.
She said that would “help to ensure that no matter who sits in the Executive Chamber, state agencies have a direct line to buy local from New York farmers and our incredible array of homegrown food is available to every person being served by that agency.”
