LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim June 2014 as Farmers Market Appreciation Month in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Gover-
nor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 2014 as Farmers Market Appreciation
Month in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, 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; and
WHEREAS, Farmers' markets build links in New York State between
upstate and downstate, rural and urban communities; and
WHEREAS, Farmers' markets bring healthy eating to neighborhoods that
lack fresh foods, and to many individuals who might not otherwise be
able to afford quality produce; and
WHEREAS, Farmers' markets provide affordable, convenient, healthy
food, as well as increased access to fresh fruits and vegetables, there-
by promoting health and fighting childhood obesity; and
WHEREAS, Local food supports the local economy; it keeps local family
farms in business and family farms generally buy local; and
WHEREAS, Farmers' markets contribute to the economic revitalization of
the areas in which the markets are located; and
WHEREAS, Local food builds community; when an individual buys directly
from a farmer, they learn where their food comes from, engaging in a
time-honored connection between grower and consumer; and
WHEREAS, Farmers' markets promote food safety by humanizing the
connections between growers and consumers and promoting local, sustaina-
ble farming; and
WHEREAS, Talking with farmers educates consumers about the seasons,
the land, and farming; farmers' markets create a place where families
with children or grandchildren can learn about nature and agriculture;
and
WHEREAS, Local food preserves genetic diversity, as smaller local
farms grow many different varieties to provide a long harvest season;
and
WHEREAS, Local farms preserve open space; farmers who improve their
bottom line by marketing locally can afford to stay in their farms and
are less likely to sell their farmland for development; and
WHEREAS, Well-managed farms conserve fertile soil and clean water in
our communities; the farm environment is a patchwork of fields, meadows,
woods, ponds, and buildings that provide habitat for wildlife; and
WHEREAS, Local foods that travel short distances use significantly
less energy; for example, it takes 435 fossil-fuel calories to fly a
five-calorie strawberry from California to New York; and
WHEREAS, Local food is an investment in the future; supporting local
farmers ensures that there will be farms in your community tomorrow; and
WHEREAS, Farmers' markets help to develop local and regional food
systems that support family farms, revitalize communities, provide
opportunities for farmers and consumers to interact, promote environ-
mental sustainability, and support our economy in New York State; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 2014 as Farmers
Market Appreciation Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.