Bill would require state agencies to buy more local food

Called the “Buy from the Backyard Act,” a bill recently introduced in the state Senate would require state agencies to purchase 20 percent of their total contracts within the state.

The proposal could allow more opportunities for farmers in the north country to partner with state universities, correctional facilities and local governments.

The bill, which would become a law April 1 if approved by the state Senate and Assembly, states that products “purchased on behalf of facilities and institutions must be grown, produced or harvested in New York State.”

That means universities now buying their products from large state suppliers will have to keep a closer eye on where the products they’re purchasing are grown, said James E. Reagen, communications director for state Sen. Patricia A. Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, who is sponsoring the bill.

The bill’s goal, Mr. Reagen said, is to create a broader market for farmers to sell their products. He pointed out there are more than 36,000 family-owned farms in New York — a strong market often overlooked by large agencies.

“A lot of the food used at universities, psychiatric centers and prisons is not always bought locally,” he said, “and this bill would broaden the amount of purchases from New York state producers.”

Small farms in the north country have sought to build partnerships with universities, including SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Canton, Clarkson University and St. Lawrence University. But those opportunities aren’t readily available, said Stephen G. Winkler, owner of Lucki 7 Livestock Co., a livestock farm in Rodman.

Mr. Winkler has partnered with PACES Food Service at SUNY Potsdam to sell beef and pork products at catering events but would like to do more business with state universities. He said the bill could be a catalyst to get state institutions to take a closer look at where the food they purchase is grown.

“This would benefit my farm greatly,” he said, “because we’ve been trying to crack into the SUNY system” and haven’t had much luck. “Anytime you get state agencies to look at local farmers to buy from, it benefits every farm in the area.”

While some programs, like the one at SUNY Potsdam, make buying local food from farmers a priority, others turn a blind eye, he said. Sometimes buying food from a large supplier, such as Sysco in Syracuse, can be less pricey for universities than shopping locally. But he said the pros for buying local — fresher food and a stronger economy — outweigh the cons.

“Some businesses only concerned about their bottom line don’t care where they get their food,” he said, “because it’s all about the price. This bill would help all of the farms win by stretching out the demand. I hate when the government gets involved, but if that’s what it takes to keep our farms viable and communities alive, then I’m all for it.”

In 2000, PACES Dining Services at SUNY Potsdam began partnering with North Country Growers Cooperative in Massena, where it purchases food from about 30 local farms, chef Steve W. Moiacco said. The amount of local food served at the cafeteria varies during the year, he said, but in the fall up to 80 percent of the food served to students is grown at local farms.

The food-service program operates separately from the university, he said, enabling it to make its own purchasing decisions.

“We do whatever we can do to purchase local food whenever it’s available,” he said, adding that the department buys meats, vegetables and maple syrup locally. “It’s fresher, tastes better and supports the local economy.”

George C. Arnold, food services director for SUNY Potsdam, said he also evaluates where food is produced when buying from larger suppliers. The department buys its food from Sysco of Syracuse and Renzi Bros., a food distributor in Watertown that does business with numerous local farms.

He added that the “Buy from the Backyard” bill would compel more universities and correctional facilities to monitor where the food they’re buying is grown.

“I think schools are going to have to pay more attention to where they buy their food in the future,” he said. “Clearly everyone has (buying local) on their radar, but some schools are now more committed to doing so than others.”

Jay M. Matteson, executive director of the Jefferson County Agricultural Development Corp., said the law would likely prompt more state agencies to jump on the bandwagon by partnering more with farms. There is a swath of correctional facilities and universities in the tri-county area, he pointed out.

“It certainly makes sense that a government agency should make every effort to purchase locally grown food versus shopping elsewhere, supporting the local economy first,” he said.