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LEGISLATIVE   RESOLUTION  memorializing  Governor  Andrew  M.  Cuomo  to
proclaim June 2012 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 2012 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 2012 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.