BILL NUMBER:  S1471

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to authorize and direct the commissioner of the department of
agriculture and markets to study leaders in farm-to-school program
development so that a knowledge clearinghouse may be established

 PURPOSE :

To direct the Commissioner of the State Department of Agriculture and
Markets to study a national leader in farm-to-school program
development, VT FEED, and its parent organizations Shelburne Farms and
the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT).

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

The bill requires the Commissioner of the State Department of
Agriculture and Markets to study VT FEEED's program models,
philosophies, curriculum integration approach, and staff training
programs so that a similar knowledge clearinghouse might be
established in New York State. The Commissioner is directed to deliver
a report to the Governor and the Legislature within one year of the
effective date of the act.

 JUSTIFICATION :
              

An October 2016 report from the Office of the New York State
Comptroller notes that a one size fits all approach will not work when
it comes to farm-to-school programs. Each school wishing to start such
a program will need to leverage the resources and strengths of its
home region. This challenge, as noted by the Comptroller, is
exacerbated by a statewide lack of technical assistance. Schools have
no single source of aid or information to turn to if they want to
start a farm-to-school program, or improve their existing efforts.

A knowledge clearinghouse, similar to VT FEED, would solve this
problem. Some New York State Schools, such as the Waterville Central
School District, and Rondout Valley, have already utilized VT FEED to
achieve award winning results. Schools should never be discouraged
from working with exceptional advisors, no matter where they are
located, but going out of state for necessary technical assistance
should not be a school's only viable option. New York State should
develop an organization similar to VT FEED so that schools across New
York State can more easily integrate sustainable and healthy food in
to classrooms, cafeterias, and communities.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New bill.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

Minimal.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
Immediately.