FARM TO FOOD BANK BILL ADVOCATES PRAISE LEGISLATURE, GOVERNOR, FOR INCLUDING FARM TO FOOD BANK TAX CREDIT IN NYS FY 2017-2018 FINAL BUDGET
04/10/2017
NY Farmers Who Donate Farm-Fresh Produce to Emergency Food Programs Serving 2.7 Million Food-Insecure New Yorkers Now Eligible for Tax Credit
Statewide Coalition of Anti-Hunger, Agricultural, and Environmental Organizations Win 2-Year Fight to Incentivize Farmers to Donate More Food
ALBANY, NY ─ After being passed unanimously by the Legislature in 2015 and 2016 but twice vetoed by Governor Andrew Cuomo, the Farm to Food Bank bill has finally become reality.
Thanks to the efforts of bill sponsors Senator Rich Funke and Assemblymember Francisco Moya, along with the support of their colleagues Assemblymembers Marcos Crespo and Philip Palmesano and Senators Pat Ritchie and Tom O’Mara – and backed by the relentless force of a tenacious statewide coalition — the Farm to Food Bank tax credit was included in the 2017-2018 Final Budget.
“I’m proud the new state budget will make our Farm to Food Bank program a reality and help farmers move even more fresh produce to those in need. By extending a modest credit to help farmers cover the cost of processing and transporting excess produce, we will simultaneously put more food into the emergency food stream and reduce unnecessary waste in landfills along the way. I thank Assemblyman Moya, our partners in government, and advocates from across the state for helping us to secure this win-win for at-risk families,” said Senator Rich Funke.
“I’m proud to announce that the […]