Assemblymember Barrett: Working to Connect Local Farms and Seniors
Bill to establish Farm-to-Senior program has passed Legislature
In her continued efforts to help Mid-Hudson Valley farmers and ensure seniors have access to high-quality food, Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Mid Hudson) announced that legislation she sponsored to establish a Farm-to-Senior program has passed the Assembly (A.2700). In addition to establishing this important program for farmers and seniors, the legislation would also create an event to further promote New York’s fine agricultural products. The bill had previously passed the State Senate and will be sent to Governor Cuomo.
“The current economy has not only left many farmers struggling to make ends meet, it has also made it harder for seniors living on a fixed income to access wholesome, fresh food on a regular basis,” Assemblymember Barrett said. “This program would connect senior centers to local farms, a move that would boost production opportunities for farmers and vastly increase nutritious food options for seniors, all the while promoting New York-made products.”
The state Office for the Aging will coordinate with the state Department of Agriculture and Markets to connect senior centers interested in purchasing local New York farm products with nearby farmers, farm organizations and businesses that sell New York-made products. Additionally, the Office for the Aging would work with the state Department of Agriculture and Markets to establish the New York Golden Harvest: Seniors Week, an event to promote New York’s high-quality agricultural products at senior centers and other institutions, farms and farmers markets. The program will use existing state and federal funds.
The Farm-to-Senior program is modeled after the Farm-to-School program, passed in New York in 2002, that provides students at schools, universities and other learning centers with a wide variety of New York farm products.i The Farm-to-School program works to improve the health of students statewide and expands local food production opportunities by increasing use of local foods in schools.
“Meeting with seniors in the district in both rural and urban communities this past year the conversation inevitably turned to food, always a favorite topic. Access to fresh and local foods is something seniors across the state care about.” said Barrett. “We are shortchanging our farmers and our seniors if we don't do all we can to make sure that the food served in our senior centers actually comes from New York State farms.”