Farmers in Onondaga County and across the region could benefit from a state law that gives hospitals, school districts, and other public facilities the option to consider more than price when buying food. County lawmakers are urging Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the Good Food New York Bill.
Right now, public entities are required to award food contracts to vendors based solely on the best value. County legislator and farmer Dave Knapp said this system favors large, national food suppliers to the detriment of local farmers. He said Good Food New York gives purchasers some flexibility.
“It doesn't mandate anything, but it gives them the ability to look local and take advantage of everything we have right here," he said. "And nothing's better for you or better tasting than something that's trucked a few miles down the road and grown as opposed to something from across the country or from another country.”
Knapp offered a startling example.
“Right here in Syracuse and our county, our school kids are eating apples from Washington state because they were the low bidder with some national supplier when we've got the best apples growing in the world, all around us," he said.
Knapp added it also isn’t sustainable to truck tons of apples three thousand miles across the country.
Legislator Ellen Block co-sponsored the measure with Knapp, and said transportation is just one consideration as food prices rise.
“Allowing municipalities to make considerations for things like sustainable and humane farm practices, and keeping dollars in the local community help to strengthen our food system by allowing local and smaller farms to take part in the food procurement process," she said.
Legislator Brian May said it could give struggling local farmers a much-needed boost.
“Something like this will preserve farmland. It will preserve the industry, which is one of the most valuable to keep here.”
May added, however, that the state needs to examine labor and other laws that drive costs higher for New York farmers. Agriculture is still the state’s number one industry.
The Good Food Bill also has the support of some New York City councilors, farmers, and unions.
