New York’s food purchasing laws haven’t been updated since the 1970s, while municipalities spend millions of tax dollars purchasing food. The state’s food purchasing laws prohibit public institutions—such as schools, senior centers, correctional facilities, and hospitals—from buying anything but the cheapest option. Public money should reflect public values. That’s why Slow Food NYC supports the Good Food NY Bill to remove current barriers and make New York the first state to implement a comprehensive, values-based approach to public food purchasing—one that allows our public institutions to prioritize local economies, animal welfare, environmental sustainability, worker well-being, racial equity, nutrition, and supply chain transparency.

When we purchase the cheapest food from big corporations, we’re fueling practices that pollute our air and water and contribute to environmental disasters. We’re supporting companies that exploit and underpay workers, who must then turn to public programs to help make ends meet. We also bypass opportunities to more meaningfully support small vendors in our region.

It’s time to get to the root of these issues.

We have an opportunity to give local governments throughout New York the ability to make decisions that are best for our communities, workers, animals, and the planet. Communities across the state are mobilizing around this bill—including over 80 labor and food organizations—to get their local institutions in full support of this movement. Hear from them directly in their recent press conference.

Send a letter today to tell your State Senator and Assembly Member to vote YES on the Good Food NY Bill and show your support for a values-based approach to public food purchasing.

To learn more about food policies like this, register for Slow Food NYC’s 12th-annual Food Almanac event, which is taking place virtually this year and coming up in April 2022. Keep an eye on our events page for more information, and we hope to see you there.