Highlighting her support for the Hudson Valley's vital farms and farmers, and to encourage more New Yorkers to buy local, Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Mid-Hudson) announced that two bills she co-sponsored expanding the Pride of New York program have passed the Assembly.

“One of my top priorities is looking out for the farmers right here, in the Mid-Hudson Valley,” Assemblymember Barrett said. “And one of the most effective ways we can help is by encouraging restaurants and other local businesses to use and sell what our local farmers produce. The Pride of New York program is a smart and easy way for customers to identify those farm-friendly establishments.”

The first of the two bills would establish the Dine: Pride of New York program by creating a logo for restaurants that use 15 percent or more of New York products (A.9877). Qualifying restaurants would be able to display the logos on their door, store front and website, allowing patrons to identify and seek out local products, while encouraging more businesses to buy local.

“Restaurants in the Mid-Hudson Valley should buy local because the foods grown here are among the freshest and highest quality that they will find anywhere,” said Andrew Chiappinelli from Grazin’ in Hudson. “This legislation provides an even greater incentive for buying local by rewarding these businesses with promotional materials and increased exposure. This is good – not only for businesses, but for local farmers who will be selling more goods and local families looking to eat healthy and support local farms and by promoting local foods, it helps in keeping the economy more local.”

The second bill would establish the Shop: Pride of New York program which allows food wholesalers to display the Pride of New York logo if 20 or more of the products they sell are New York products (A.9868). This would help get more local goods on the shelves, promote wholesalers and retailers offering local products and give New Yorkers and visitors alike further access to New York grown goods.

“Seeing the Pride of New York logo in shop and restaurant windows will help families identify where they can shop and dine to support local farmers and small businesses, get fresher products and keep their money in the local economy,” Assemblymember Barrett said. “It's a win\win\win opportunity for our families, our local farms and businesses and our state."