Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner (D,I - Round Lake) announced that her legislation to allow more locally grown food to be purchased by boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES) and local municipalities has been signed into law by the governor (Ch. 90 of 2017).

“Agriculture is so important to our upstate economy, and one of my greatest priorities is supporting local farms here in Saratoga and Washington counties,” said Woerner. “This bill is just one example of the ways that I am working in a bipartisan manner to help the farmers in the communities I represent and across the state.”

New York State law currently allows state agencies to spend up to $200,000 annually in support of locally grown foods. School districts are allowed a certain amount based on enrollment and school days. However, until now, local governments have been prevented from spending more than $20,000 to purchase local products. Under this legislation, BOCES and municipalities can be eligible for a multiplier threshold like the one school districts use to purchase New York State food products.

“This new law cuts through some of the red tape that gets in the way of local governments buying from farms in their communities and helps our families eat more healthy food,” Woerner said.