N.Y. Agriculture & Markets Law § 281: Declaration of legislative findings and intent

§ 281. Declaration of legislative findings and intent. The legislature

hereby finds that inflation has caused higher prices in all phases of

farm and food production and farm and food products distribution; and

that the demand, by consumers within the state, for increasing supplies

of wholesome, fresh and nutritious farm and food products provides a

significant opportunity for the development of alternative marketing

structures for food grown within the state by which such products may be

supplied directly to the consuming public. In addition, increasing the

supply of wholesome, fresh, locally produced fruits and vegetables can

help to encourage the consumption of such produce in a manner that helps

to combat the increasing incidence of adult and childhood obesity.

Reducing the incidence of obesity can help to improve the overall health

of the general public, help to reduce the cost of providing health care

and reduce the state's costs of providing such care.

The legislature finds also that encouraging direct sales from farms

and other agricultural producers to consumers and other buyers can

provide producers with a substantially increased income over that which

is currently obtainable through the conventional wholesale marketing

system.

It is therefore the intent of the legislature and the purpose of this

article to encourage expanded production of farm and food products

through providing increased opportunities for farm and food product

producers within the state to wholesale and retail their products

directly to consumers on a state, regional and local basis; to encourage

purchasing opportunities which will lower food costs to consumers; to

increase the share of the consumer's food dollar retained by the

producers of farm and food products; to make farm and food products more

readily available to residents of the state; and to encourage and

facilitate the purchase and use of farm and food products produced

within the state by public and private institutions and agencies.