§ 259. Legislative findings. The legislature hereby finds and declares
that farmers' markets provide a vital and highly effective marketing
mechanism for thousands of New York farmers, improve the access of
consumers and wholesalers to New York farm products, and contribute to
the economic revitalization of the areas in which the markets are
located. The legislature further declares that farmers' markets provide
consumers with access to a wide range of high quality, nutritious, farm
fresh and processed New York state agricultural and food products;
facilitate expanded wholesale distribution of New York state farm
products to retail stores, restaurants, institutions and other wholesale
food buyers; provide new and expanded farm and city jobs in agricultural
production, marketing, and sales, and in market facilities development
and operation; promote consumer awareness of New York state agriculture
and agricultural products; and foster economic and social interaction
between urban and rural residents of the state.

It is therefore the intent of the legislature and the purpose of this
article to encourage farmers' markets in the state by providing state
assistance to municipalities and public and private agencies interested
in developing new markets or expanding or reconstructing existing farm
market operations.