No. 32: Establishing State Agency Food Purchasing Goals for New York State Agricultural Products

No. 32

EXECUTIVE ORDER

ESTABLISHING STATE AGENCY FOOD PURCHASING GOALS FOR NEW YORK STATE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

WHEREAS, New York’s agricultural industry is a critical part of our State’s history, economy, and future;

WHEREAS, vulnerabilities in the nation’s supply chains have underscored the importance of in-state food production;

WHEREAS, supporting farms and maintaining their economic viability contributes to the resilience of the supply chain;

WHEREAS, the challenges faced by New York’s agriculture sector have been compounded by international developments beyond the control of both farmers and consumers;

WHEREAS, New York’s rich soils, water availability, vibrant agricultural community, excellent land grant system, and large, diverse markets provide New York State the ability to use its food procurement policies and programs to build a more resilient and equitable food system;

WHEREAS, both the establishment of State Agency purchasing goals for food and food products grown, harvested, or produced in New York and the amendment of the General Municipal Law to provide greater discretion to school districts to purchase New York agricultural products will strengthen local economies and contribute to a more resilient and equitable food system statewide;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the State of New York, do hereby order, effective until such time as I may declare, as follows:

I. Definitions

1. State Agencies shall mean any agency or department over which the Governor has executive authority, including all offices and divisions thereof, as well as all public authorities for to which the Governor appoints the chair, the chief executive, or the majority of board members, including all offices and divisions thereof, except for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. State Agencies shall include the State University of New York and the City University of New York.

2. New York State Food Products shall mean agricultural products and food items that are grown, harvested, produced, or processed in the State of New York. Processed food items that are composed of raw materials from both inside and outside the State may be deemed New York State Food Products when (i) their predominant value or quantity is derived from food grown, harvested, or produced in New York State and (ii) the processing of such food products takes place in facilities that are located in New York State.

3. Agricultural products and food items shall include all articles of food or drink, intended for human consumption that may be purchased using any funding stream managed by any State Agency, including any federally funded programs.

II. New York State Sourced Food Procurement Goals for State Agencies

1. To the extent that State Agencies purchase food or food products, including through contracted services:

   1. Effective immediately, such State Agencies shall specify the purchase of New York State Food Products whenever feasible; and attempt to increase purchasing as follows:

      1. On or before the end of 2023, 5 percent of such State Agency’s food or food product purchases shall be New York State Food Products;
      2. On or before the end of 2024, 15 percent of such State Agency’s food or food product purchases shall be New York State Food Products;
      3. On or before the end of 2025, 20 percent of such State Agency’s food or food product purchases shall be New York State Food Products;
      4. On or before the end of 2026, 25 percent of such State Agency’s food or food product purchases shall be New York State Food Products;
      5. On or before the end of 2027, 30 percent of such State Agency’s food or food product purchases shall be New York State Food Products.

2. The Office of General Services shall ensure that its centralized food contracts highlight the New York State Food Products available on such contracts.

3. State Agencies that purchase food shall annually report to the Office of General Services, the dollar amount of New York State Food Products purchased by the reporting State Agency, including those by contracted service providers, the dollar value of all food and food products purchased by the State Agency, and the percentage of the New York State Food Products of all agricultural products and food items purchased for the reporting year. By March 31 each year, State Agencies shall submit such information for the previous calendar year to the Office of General Services.

4. To the extent any State Agency that purchases food or food products is unable to purchase the percentage of New York State Food Products set forth above, that State Agency shall report to the Governor the reasons preventing the purchase of New York State Food Products at the required minimum level and all actions the State Agency will take to help increase the purchase of New York State Food Products to, at a minimum, the required threshold.

5. By October 30, 2023, the Office of General Services and the Department of Agriculture and Markets shall utilize available resources and funding to organize and convene a working group including the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the Office of Addiction Services and Supports, the Office of Mental Health, and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, Department of Health, Office of the Aging, and other State Agencies and other stakeholders with experience in the identification, contracting, and purchasing of New York State Food Products, either directly or through food service contractors. Such working group shall:

   1. Identify opportunities for and barriers to the increased purchase of New York State Food Products;
   2. Recommend guidance to assist State Agencies increase the amount of New York State Food Products they purchase;
   3. Analyze the possible benefits and feasibility of adopting State food procurement models that consider and adjust for the hidden costs of food production; and
   4. Recommend data collection and reporting requirements with respect to achieving the goals established by this Executive Order.

   SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

   1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   • SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The article discusses the importance of in-state food production and supporting farms to contribute to a resilient food system.
   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article mentions that supporting farms and maintaining their economic viability contributes to the resilience of the supply chain.
   • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The article emphasizes the need to build a more resilient and equitable food system through food procurement policies and programs.
   • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article mentions the involvement of various stakeholders, including State Agencies, in increasing the purchase of New York State Food Products.

   2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   • Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, particularly women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers.
   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation.
   • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources.

   3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   • Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size.
   • Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, by sex.
   • Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP.
   • Indicator 17.16.1: Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks that support the achievement of the sustainable development goals.

   Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 2: Zero Hunger	Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, particularly women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers.	Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size.
   SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation.	Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, by sex.
   SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.	Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP.
   SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources.	Indicator 17.16.1: Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks that support the achievement of the sustainable development goals.

   Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

   Source: governor.ny.gov

    

   

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