N.Y. Agriculture & Markets Law § 31-f: Legislative findings

§ 31-f. Legislative findings. The legislature hereby finds and

declares that community gardens provide significant health, educational

and social benefits to the general public, especially for those who

reside in urban and suburban areas of this state. Furthermore, it is the

articulated public policy of this state to promote and foster growth in

the number of community gardens and the acreage of such gardens. The

community garden movement continues to provide low cost food that is

fresh and nutritious for those who may be unable to readily afford or

have easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables for themselves or their

families, promotes public health and healthier individual lifestyles by

encouraging better eating habits and increased physical activity by

growing their own food, fosters the retention and expansion of open

spaces, particularly in urban environments, enhances urban and suburban

environmental quality and community beautification, provides inexpensive

community building activities, recreation and physical exercise for all

age groups, establishes a safe place for community involvement and helps

to reduce the incidence of crime, engenders a closer relationship

between urban residents, nature and their local environment, and fosters

green job training and ecological education at all levels. It is

therefore the intent of the legislature and the purpose of this article

to foster growth in the number, size and scope of community gardens in

this state by encouraging state agencies, municipalities and private

parties in their efforts to promote community gardens.