Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) announced that a tax credit is available to New York farmers for qualifying food donations made to food banks and other emergency food programs. It is expected to save farmers a total of $10 million annually. According to the New York Farm Bureau, farmers across the state donated more than nine million pounds of food in 2017, which helped provide more than seven million meals to New Yorkers in need.

Following a recommendation from Governor Andrew Cuomo's Anti-Hunger Task Force, the tax credit was enacted to compensate farmers for costs associated with harvesting, packaging and distributing local products to eligible food pantries, food banks and other emergency food programs across the state. Increased donations will help meet the growing demand for fresh, healthful foods in underserved communities across New York.

The tax credit, which began on January 1, 2018, is supported by the New York State Council on Hunger and Food Policy. It is a refundable credit equal to 25 percent of the fair market value of qualified donations up to $5,000. Eligible donations include fresh fruits and vegetables grown or produced in New York State and provided to emergency food programs that qualify for tax exempt status. To claim the credit, the taxpayer must receive proof of the donation in the form of a receipt or written acknowledgment from the eligible food program.

A fact sheet on eligibility requirements for the tax credit is available at tax.ny.gov/bus/farm-donations-credit.htm.