Bill Text: NY S02767 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Amended
Bill Title: Encourages the expansion of the production of fresh fruits and vegetables by community gardens.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-1)
Status: (Passed) 2019-09-13 - signed chap.272 [S02767 Detail]
Download: New_York-2019-S02767-Amended.html
STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 2767--A Cal. No. 428 2019-2020 Regular Sessions IN SENATE January 29, 2019 ___________ Introduced by Sens. COMRIE, BIAGGI, CARLUCCI, HARCKHAM, HOYLMAN, KAPLAN, KENNEDY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Agriculture -- reported favorably from said committee and committed to the Committee on Finance -- reported favorably from said committee, ordered to first and second report, ordered to a third reading, passed by Senate and delivered to the Assembly, recalled, vote reconsidered, restored to third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to expand- ing the production of fresh fruits and vegetables by community gardens The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. Section 31-f of the agriculture and markets law, as added 2 by chapter 528 of the laws of 2013, is amended to read as follows: 3 § 31-f. Legislative findings. The legislature hereby finds and 4 declares that community gardens provide significant health, educational 5 and social benefits to the general public, especially for those who 6 reside in urban and suburban areas of this state. Furthermore, it is the 7 articulated public policy of this state to promote and foster growth in 8 the number of community gardens and the acreage of such gardens. The 9 community garden movement continues to provide low cost food that is 10 fresh and nutritious for those who may be unable to readily afford or 11 have easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables for themselves or their 12 families, promotes public health and healthier individual lifestyles by 13 encouraging better eating habits and increased physical activity by 14 growing their own food, fosters the retention and expansion of open 15 spaces, particularly in urban environments, enhances urban and suburban 16 environmental quality and community beautification, provides inexpensive 17 community building activities, recreation and physical exercise for all 18 age groups, establishes a safe place for community involvement and helps EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD06133-03-9S. 2767--A 2 1 to reduce the incidence of crime, engenders a closer relationship 2 between urban residents, nature and their local environment, and fosters 3 green job training and ecological education at all levels. It is there- 4 fore the intent of the legislature and the purpose of this article to 5 foster growth in the number, size and scope of community gardens in this 6 state by encouraging state agencies, municipalities and private parties 7 in their efforts to promote community gardens. 8 § 2. Paragraph f of subdivision 2 of section 31-h of the agriculture 9 and markets law, as added by chapter 528 of the laws of 2013, is amended 10 to read as follows: 11 f. Assist, support and encourage communication, and the sharing of 12 resources between community garden organizations [and], the New York 13 Harvest For New York Kids Week program established by the department 14 pursuant to subdivision five-b of section sixteen of this chapter[,] and 15 individual farm-to-school and school garden programs, and, where appli- 16 cable, the department of health, the department of state, the office of 17 children and family services and the division of housing and community 18 renewal. 19 § 3. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 4 of section 31-j of the agriculture 20 and markets law, as amended by chapter 154 of the laws of 2015, is 21 amended to read as follows: 22 (a) The goals of the task force may include, but are not limited to, 23 the study, evaluation and development of recommendations: (i) to encour- 24 age the establishment and expansion of community gardens by state agen- 25 cies, municipal governments and private parties, (ii) to encourage coop- 26 eration between the activities and operations of community gardens and 27 provision of donated food to local voluntary food assistance programs 28 for the poor and disadvantaged, (iii) to increase the benefits that 29 community gardens may provide to the local community in which they are 30 located, [and] (iv) to encourage cooperation with community-based organ- 31 izations to increase the opportunities for seniors, those aged sixty 32 years of age or older, to participate in community gardens, and (v) to 33 encourage the expansion of the production of fresh fruits and vegetables 34 in areas served by community gardens so that such fresh produce can be 35 consumed locally to help encourage healthier life styles and wellness, 36 and to help reduce the incidence of adult and childhood obesity. 37 § 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
