Res. No. 627
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to amend the General Municipal Law to allow New York City to institute procurement preferences for the purchase of food originating within the New York region.
By Council Members Rose, Arroyo, Brewer, Cabrera, Chin, Dromm, Fidler, Foster, Gentile, James, Lander, Mendez, Palma, Rodriguez, Seabrook, Williams, Koslowitz, Gonzalez, Weprin, Mark-Viverito, Van Bramer, Levin, Recchia, Vallone, Crowley, Lappin, Jackson, Gennaro, Barron and Dickens
Whereas, New York City agencies purchase millions of dollars of food each year; and
Whereas, Most of the food that New York City agencies purchase can originate in places far outside the City and be transported by the use of different forms of transportation including trucks and airplanes; and
Whereas, Transporting such food to the City results in air pollution that contributes to climate change; and
Whereas, Food processors located in areas far from the City use large amounts of paper and plastic packaging to keep fresh food from spoiling as it is transported and stored for long periods of time; and
Whereas, Such packaging is generally not reused or recycled and therefore contributes to environmental pollution; and
Whereas, The purchase of food from smaller, local farmers aids the environment as they keep their land in agricultural use and preserve natural habitats by maintaining forest and wetlands; and
Whereas, The New York State General Municipal Law section 103(8-a) allows political subdivisions to give a preference for the purchase of certain food that is grown, produced, harvested or processed in New York State; and
Whereas, Such a preference is currently limited to food originating or processed in New York State and should be expanded to include food that is not processed in New York State but that originates in other states within the New York region, including but not limited to New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire in order to promote New York City's purchase of regional food; and
Whereas, Allowing the City to give a preference for regional food will be better for the environment and will support the regional economy by increasing the ability of regional farmers and producers to bring their products to larger markets; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to amend the General Municipal Law to allow New York City to institute procurement preferences for the purchase of food originating within the New York region.
LC
LS #1919
1/7/2011