As part of her ongoing Buy Local-Shop Local initiative, Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt (R,C,I-Greenwood Lake) today encouraged residents to support New York State’s dairy farmers and producers at this year’s annual Assembly Minority Conference’s Dairy Day. The annual legislative awareness day is held in Albany and recognizes the hard work and dedication shown by Empire State dairy producers.
“We come here today to honor the hard work and contributions of the men and women who belong to New York’s dairy industry,” said Rabbitt. “Dairy products are an essential part of a healthy diet and local producers can offer fresh goods without all the additional preservatives. I encourage the residents of this state, especially friends and neighbors back in Orange and Rockland counties, to buy local from our own communities’ dairy producers.”
There are roughly 5,400 dairy-producing farms in New York, most of which are family-owned and operated. Nationally, our state ranks third in dairy production, according to Cornell University Cooperative Extension.
Farmers’ markets are an excellent place to find locally-produced dairy products. Additionally, many grocery stores are now stocking New York dairy producers, including Chobani yogurt and Garelick Farms’ milk and cheese, a participant in this year’s Dairy Day event.
Those interested in learning more about New York’s dairy farmers should contact Assemblywoman Rabbitt by emailing her at rabbitta@assembly.state.ny.us or calling her Goshen office at 845-291-3631.