LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim June 2013 as Farmers Market Appreciation Month in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Gover-
nor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 2013 as Farmers Market Appreciation
Month in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Farmers' markets provide consumers with access to a wide
range of high quality, nutritious, farm fresh and processed New York
State agricultural and food products; and
WHEREAS, Local produce contains more nutrients than produce shipped
over long distances; and
WHEREAS, Farmers' markets promote food safety by humanizing the
connections between growers and consumers and promoting local, sustaina-
ble farming; and
WHEREAS, Farmers' markets bring healthy eating to neighborhoods that
lack fresh foods, and to many individuals who might not otherwise be
able to afford quality produce; and
WHEREAS, Farmers' markets provide affordable, convenient, healthy
food, as well as increased access to fresh fruits and vegetables, there-
by promoting child health and possibly fighting childhood obesity; and
WHEREAS, Local food supports local families and helps keep local fami-
ly farms in business; and
WHEREAS, Local farmers who sell directly to consumers cut out the
middleman and get full retail price for their food, which helps farm
families stay on the land; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, farmers' markets provide a way for small farmers to
stay in business, despite the pressures of competing with much larger
growers; and
WHEREAS, Farmers' markets also contribute to the economic revitaliza-
tion of the areas in which the markets are located; and
WHEREAS, Local food builds community; when an individual buys direct
from a farmer, they are engaging in a time-honored connection between
eater and grower; and
WHEREAS, Knowing the farmer gives one insight into the seasons, the
land, and their food; it gives access to a place where children and
grandchildren can go to learn about nature and agriculture; and
WHEREAS, Farmers' markets also provide tremendous benefit to our envi-
ronment; and
WHEREAS, Local food preserves genetic diversity; in the modern agri-
cultural system, plant varieties are chosen for their ability to ripen
uniformly, withstand harvesting, survive packing and last on the shelf,
so there is limited genetic diversity in large-scale production; and
WHEREAS, Smaller local farms, in contrast, often grow many different
varieties to provide a long harvest season, in an array of colors and
flavors; and
WHEREAS, Local food also preserves open space; when farmers get paid
more for their products by marketing locally, they are less likely to
sell their farmland for development; and
WHEREAS, Well-managed farms conserve fertile soil and clean water in
our communities; the farm environment is a patchwork of fields, meadows,
woods, ponds, and buildings that provide habitat for wildlife; and
WHEREAS, Transporting food long distances uses tremendous energy; it
takes 435 fossil-fuel calories to fly a five-calorie strawberry from
California to New York; fossil fuels contribute to global warming, acid
rain and smog; local foods travel short distances and use dramatically
less energy; and

WHEREAS, Farmers' markets provide a way for children to learn about
the food they eat, the places it comes from, and the people who grow it;
and
WHEREAS, Local food is an investment in the future; supporting local
farmers ensures that there will be farms in your community tomorrow; and
WHEREAS, Farmers' markets help to develop local and regional food
systems that support family farms, revitalize communities, provide
opportunities for farmers and consumers to interact, and promote envi-
ronmental sustainability, which is crucial in preserving the earth for
future generations; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 2013 as Farmers
Market Appreciation Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.