Hinchey Calls on Governor to Codify Her Food Procurement Bill in State Budget

ALBANY, NY – A legislative proposal sponsored by State Senator Michelle Hinchey (S3125) 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 today released the following statement, urging 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. I thank Governor Hochul for seeing the importance of this shift and for expanding the thresholds of our plan to get more local healthy food to those utilizing state agencies. 

“While this Executive Order is helpful, I believe an economic growth opportunity this important should be codified in State Law through the budget.

“This will 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. I’ve always believed that food is a form of healthcare and whether you’re an individual living in a nursing home, at a correctional facility, or a state university, you deserve to eat fresh, healthy New York-grown food.

“As negotiations take shape, I’ll be fighting to make sure this proposal is included in the final state budget, and I thank Governor Hochul again for her commitment to advancing the proposal this year.”

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