Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) announced the Assembly passed two pieces of legislation that she sponsored to expand the Pride of New York program. The measures would allow restaurants and stores serving food and products produced in
“These new
initiatives under the Pride of New York program will help North
Country businesses and hardworking families alike,” Assemblywoman
Russell said. “Buying local means our families can invest in the freshest
products cultivated right in own our backyard. And by investing in the area’s
products, we can strengthen growth in our community and enrich the local
economy.”
The first measure would establish a
Dine: Pride of New York program for restaurants that use ingredients produced
in New York State (A.9877). The bill would allow for the creation of a logo to
be presented in restaurants that use 15 percent or more locally sourced
ingredients and products. Qualified restaurants would receive advertising and
promotional materials free of charge and have their business listed on the
Pride of New York website.
In addition, a similar measure
would set up the Shop: Pride of New York program for food retailers that sell 20
percent or more of all products made in New York
(A.9868). Food retailers would qualify for the same promotional materials, logo
and name recognition on the website.
“With our restaurants and stores
proudly displaying the local produce, meat and dairy they carry, it will help
consumers easily identify and patronize these establishments that serve and
sell high-quality, homegrown products,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “Since more
and more families are interested in buying local foods, this will greatly
increase demand in local products and give a much-needed boost to our
agricultural industry, helping hardworking North Country
farmers.”
Assemblywoman Russell has long fought
for measures to increase interest and demand in local products. Assemblywoman
Russell established a program called “Rediscover Your Backyard,” which promotes
North Country businesses that sell local products. In
addition, the Assemblywoman is holding a North Country Department Store event
on Oct. 27 at Indian River Middle
School
“North Country
families do not have to look any further than their own backyard to find a
region filled with a vibrant agriculture and fresh local produce,”
Assemblywoman Russell said. “Buying local means that our families can keep
their hard-earned dollars right here in our community, strengthening the future
and prosperity of our businesses, agricultural industry and local economy.”
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