Albany, NY – New York State will look at strategies designed to strengthen the state’s food supply chain under a bill (A10607/S8561) sponsored by Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo and Senator Jen Metzger signed into law this week. A diverse group of stakeholders will provide guidance and recommendations on New York's food supply and related supply chain logistics in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“On Wednesday, my committee co-hosted a budget hearing that focused on recent food supply chain disruptions,” said Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee. “The pandemic exposed weaknesses in the system that we must address for future disruptions and for long term sustainability. There is no reason we should ever see producers disposing of food while our grocery stores and pantries struggle to keep up. A program like Nourish NY, which purchases NY grown food for NY pantries, has shown what is possible.”

"One of the lessons of this pandemic is the need to strengthen our regional food systems to help reduce our vulnerability to disruptions in national supply chains while supporting local farms and food businesses and becoming more self-reliant," said Senator Jen Metzger, Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. “We need to re-evaluate state policies in light of what we've learned, build on innovative initiatives like Nourish NY, and bring new ideas to the table. I’m pleased that this legislation was signed into law at this opportune moment to capitalize on and to build back stronger."

Pursuant to a chapter amendment that will need to be passed when session reconvenes, the Commissioners of Agriculture and Markets and Economic Development, will work with Cornell, the state’s land grant university, to issue a report by December 1, 2021. The original version of the bill called for the creation of a new working group.

Under this new initiative, representatives from effected industries and organizations will meet with government officials to offer recommendations to improve NY’s food supply chain. The effort will include representatives from organic and conventional farming, food processing, retail food businesses, foodservice, wholesalers, distributors, food transporters, labor, emergency food providers, academia, local state and federal and agencies, and others. All regions of the state will be considered, along with the interests of minority, women, and small and family-owned businesses. Finally, the report will include recommendations regarding potential changes to laws, rules, and policies, along with feasibility and associated costs.

"Our state's farmers faced new challenges, like all New Yorkers, in dealing with the pandemic and its impacts. It forced us to quickly adapt and deal with supply chain issues while we continued to work hard to produce the food we all need. New York Farm Bureau commends the work of our Agriculture Committee Chairs for addressing future needs with this legislation, and we look forward to engaging with our fellow stakeholders to have a stronger, more resilient food system that supports us all," said David Fisher, New York Farm Bureau President.