Expands the FreshConnect program, which provides rebates for the purchase of local produce to certain people, to include local produce sold in supermarkets and grocery stores.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A4515
SPONSOR: Hyndman TITLE OF BILL:
An act to incentivize the purchase of local produce in supermarkets and
grocery stores through the FreshConnect program
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To expand the reach of the FreshConnect program across the state and
increase access to affordable fruits and vegetables to New Yorkers in
need.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
This bill establishes definitions for local produce and producer, as
well as requiring that the commissioner of agriculture and markets
expand the FreshConnect program to include local produce sold in super-
markets.
JUSTIFICATION:
According to the USDA's "Choose My Plate" recommendations, eating fruits
and vegetables provides health benefits - people who eat more vegetables
and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet have a reduced risk of
some chronic diseases. Fruits and vegetables provide nutrients vital for
health and maintenance of the body. In 2011, Governor Cuomo introduced
the FreshConnect program to create new farmers' markets and support
existing markets that provide outlets for fresh food in underserved
neighborhoods, as well as providing a $2 incentive for every $2 of
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit used at partic-
ipating markets, thereby increasing the purchasing power of SNAP consum-
ers by 40 percent while supporting local farmers. The program expanded
to include Veterans, service members, and their immediate family members
in 2014.
This program has been incredibly successful at increasing access to
fresh fruits and vegetables to the almost 1.5 million New Yorkers who
live in areas with limited supermarket access. This bill seeks to expand
the program to include supermarkets and grocery stores as well, this way
helping people bring home more healthy fruits and vegetables while still
supporting local farmers. The wins are three-fold: low-income consumers
eat more healthy food, local farmers gain new customers and make more
money, and more food dollars stay in the local economy. Similar programs
have been implemented in other states like the Double Up Food Bucks
program in Michigan, where farmers markets, supermarkets, and grocery
stores participate.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2019-20: Referred to Agriculture
2021-22: Referred to Agriculture
2023-24: Vetoed
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
4515
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 4, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. HYNDMAN -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Agriculture
AN ACT to incentivize the purchase of local produce in supermarkets and
grocery stores through the FreshConnect program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. (a) For the purposes of this act the following terms shall
2 have the following meanings:
3 (i) "local produce" means produce grown by a producer with the pride
4 of New York symbol of the business claiming the local produce tax credit
5 within the state of New York, from seed or conception through final
6 product.
7 (ii) "producer" means an individual, whether acting individually or
8 through a cooperative, corporation, partnership, business association,
9 or educational institution, who is a farmer, student farmer or manufac-
10 turer of foods or goods in New York state. It shall not, however,
11 include a wholesaler or distributor.
12 (iii) "supermarket" or "grocery store" means a retail store at a given
13 location devoted to the sale of foods, food stuffs and groceries for
14 human consumption regularly and customarily sold in a bona fide manner
15 for consumption off of the premises. The following shall not be consid-
16 ered supermarkets or grocery stores for the purposes of this act:
17 hotels, motels, restaurants, cafeterias, bakeries, caterers, hospitals,
18 assisted living facilities, independent living facilities, nursing
19 homes, hospices, group homes, drug stores, educational institutions,
20 food courts in shopping malls, food retailers at airports or other
21 transportation facilities, gas stations, sports arenas, movie theaters
22 or any other similar establishments.
23 (b) The commissioner of agriculture and markets shall expand the
24 FreshConnect program, which improves access to local produce by provid-
25 ing certain people with two dollar rebates to be used for the purchase
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08421-01-5
A. 4515 2
1 of further local produce for every two dollars of local produce
2 purchased, to include local produce sold in supermarkets and grocery
3 stores.
4 § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
5 it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
6 ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
7 tation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made on or
8 before such date.
