New York Senate Bill S03577

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/28/25
• Refer: 1/28/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Requires the department of agriculture and markets to promote participation in Nourish New York, including financial and technical support, for black, indigenous and people of color site controlled farms.

Summary

This bill would amend the Agriculture and Markets Law to direct the Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets to actively promote participation in the Nourish New York program by black, indigenous, and people of color site-controlled farms. It requires the department to provide financial and technical support to help these farms connect to markets and participate in the program, including infrastructure development, priority grants for processing and refrigeration systems, permit assistance, a liaison to the Nourish New York program, and guidance on best practices. The bill also requires the department to prioritize procurement of agricultural products from these farms as a core part of the Nourish New York food distribution system. In addition, it directs the department to establish a price point for products from black, indigenous, and people of color owned farms that is at least sufficient to cover production, temporary storage, and transportation costs to food relief organizations. The bill would take effect immediately if enacted.

Impact

The bill would add a new subdivision to section 452 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, creating an affirmative state role in supporting and prioritizing black, indigenous, and people of color site-controlled farms within the Nourish New York program. It would expand the department’s responsibilities beyond general program administration to include targeted outreach, technical assistance, infrastructure support, and procurement preferences, while also establishing a minimum pricing framework for qualifying farm products. The practical effect would be to influence how state food-relief purchasing is structured and how certain farms access state-supported markets and distribution channels.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded votes or committee transcripts, the available context suggests a supportive policy intent centered on equity, market access, and food-system participation for historically underserved farmers. The bill is framed as a program-expansion and support measure rather than a restriction or mandate on consumers or food relief organizations. No formal voting history or discussion record is provided, so there is no documented opposition or endorsement in the supplied materials.

Contention

The main potential points of contention are likely to be the bill’s race- and identity-based targeting of support and procurement preferences, and the requirement that the department set a minimum price point tied to production and logistics costs. Supporters would likely view these provisions as necessary to address barriers faced by black, indigenous, and people of color farmers and to strengthen equitable access to Nourish New York. Critics could question whether the targeted preferences are the best use of state resources, whether they create administrative burdens, or whether they could raise concerns about fairness in procurement and program design. No specific objections are documented in the provided transcripts or votes.