"The overall health of our state will improve if we can make our eating habits healthier. The creation of the New York State Council on Food Policy demonstrates that government can work in partnership with communities and food producers to insure that all New Yorkers, particularly senior citizens, children, and those who struggle to afford healthy foods are aware of and have easy access to a nutritious, balanced diet."
Creation & Mission of the NYS Council on Food Policy
New York State Governor’s Office issued Executive Order No. 13 on May 18, 2007 that established the New York State Council on Food Policy (NYS CFP). NYS CFP was created with the recognition that agriculture is a critically important industry to New York State, that hunger is a serious problem facing many families; that access to affordable, fresh and nutritious food is a serious problem; and that there are significant environmental, health and economic benefits from expanding agriculture production, including locally-grown and organically-grown food.
After review, Governor Paterson confirmed the continuation of Executive Order No. 13 in June of 2008 (Executive Order No. 9: Review, Continuation and Expiration of Prior Executive Orders). By this, Governor Paterson recognizes that the NYS CFP is essential in that it addresses ongoing issues and ensures that the Council shall remain in full force.
NYS CFP brings the public, producers and government together to explore ways in which we can improve our existing food production and delivery systems, expand capacity and in particular, ensure the availability of safe, fresh, nutritious and affordable food for all New Yorkers, especially children, seniors, and low-income residents. Additionally, by expanding the sale of locally grown products, we can help struggling farmers and expand the local agriculture and state economy.
NYS CFP develops and makes recommendations to the Governor on state regulations, legislation and budget proposals in the area of food policy to ensure a coordinated and comprehensive inter-agency approach to state food policy issues. The Council delivers a written annual report the Governor.
For more information please see: Governor David A. Paterson’s Executive Orders;
Governor’s Press Release 5/20/2007
Members of the NYS Council On Food Policy 
The NYS CFP is composed of twenty-one (21) members appointed by the Governor from all aspects of the food systems. Members include: State agency heads from the Department of Agriculture and Markets; Department of Health; Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance; Department of Economic Development; Office for the Aging; State Education Department; and the Consumer Protection Board. The Council also benefit from the expertise and insight contributed by the Dean of the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University; an anti-hunger advocate; two food assistance organization representatives; a nutritionist; a school food administrator; a farm organization; and three representatives from the food industry (producers, distributors, processors, retailers) one of which is involved in organic production; and members with food policy related experience recommended by the Majority and Minority Leaders from both houses of the Legislature.
In September of 2007, after a rigorous and thoughtful process, the members of the NYS CFP were announced (Governor’s Press Release 09/19/2007). The Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets, Patrick Hooker serves as the Chairperson of the NYS CFP. At the time of appointment Commissioner Hooker said that:
“The food industry is quite complex, and I am honored to lead this group of professionally diverse leaders and experts in the arena of food and agriculture. The experience and insightfulness of those on this Council make me confident that we will be effective in finding new and creative ways to improve our food systems for the benefit of all New Yorkers.”
Together, the Council members represent the diversity of expertise and the depth of knowledge necessary to develop and recommend an effective food policy for the State.
Council Chairperson
Patrick Hooker, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
Council Members
Mindy Bockstein, Chairperson of the New York State Consumer Protection Board
Linda Bopp, Executive Director of the Nutrition Consortium of New York State
Bruce Both, President of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union; Local 1500
Michael Burgess, Director of the New York State Office for the Aging
Mary Warr Cowans, RD, CDN, Associate Director of the Division of Nutrition at the New York State Department of Health
Dr. Richard Daines, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health
Raymond Denniston, Food Service Director of the Johnson City Central School District; Co-Chairperson of the New York State Farm to School Coordinating Committee
Diane Eggert, Executive Director of the Farmers Market Federation of New York
John Evers, Executive Director of the Food Bank Association of New York State
Representative, Empire State Development Corporation
David Hansell, Commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Dr. Susan Henry, Dean of the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University
Richard Mills, Commissioner of the State Education Department
Cathryn Mizbani, Senior Extension Administrator; WIC Program Coordinator of the Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Schenectady County
Liz Neumark, Chief Executive Officer of Great Performances; Sylvia Center
William Rapfogel, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty
Irwin Simon, Founder, Chairperson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hain Celestial Group, Inc
Julie Suarez, Director of Public Policy for the New York Farm Bureau
Eleanor Wilson, MS, RD, CDN, Corporate Dietitian for Price Chopper Supermarkets, Inc
Catharine Young, New York State Senator, 57th District; Chairperson of the Senate Agriculture Committee
History
In1984, then NYS Governor Mario Cuomo, established the New York State Council on Food and Nutrition Policy. That Council was made up of seven State agency heads appointed by the Governor and Chaired by the Commissioner of Health. In 1987 the Council on Food and Nutrition Policy delivered a “Five Year Food and Nutrition Plan 1988-92” to the Governor. The four purposes of the plan were to:
- Promote good health and prevent food and diet-related diseases;
- Alleviate and ultimately prevent hunger through increased access to food and resources;
- Support food production in NYS while preserving environmental resources and jobs; and
- Promote the development and economic viability of the state’s food processing, marketing, and distribution industries.
Within that document, twenty recommendations with comprehensive action plans were recommended for food and nutrition policy in New York State.
For further information, please see Section II. History: 1984 New YorkState Council on Food and Nutrition Policy of the December 1, 2007 NYS Council on Food Policy Report to the Governor NYS Council on Food Policy Report to the Governor