NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL ON FOOD POLICY

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

Darrel Aubertine, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets

Council Members

Linda Bopp, Executive Director, Nutrition Consortium of NYS
Bruce Both, President, United Food and Commercial Workers Union; Local 1500
Greg Olsen, Acting Director , NYS Office for the Aging
Mary Warr Cowans (Retired), RD, CDN, Assoc Director Division of Nutrition, NYS Department of Health
Dr. Nirav Shah, Commissioner , NYS Department of Health
Raymond Denniston, BOCES Broome-Tioga; Co-Chair NYS Farm to School Coordinating Committee
Diane Eggert, Executive Director, Farmers Market Federation of New York
Kristen Proud, Acting Commissioner, NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Dr. Kathryn Boor, Dean, NYS College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University
Dr. John King Jr. , Commissioner, NYS Education Department
Robert LaValva, President, New Amsterdam Market
Cathryn Mizbani, Senior Extension Administrator; WIC Program Coordinator, Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Schenectady County
Kenneth Adams, Commissioner of the NYS Department of Economic Development
Liz Neumark, CEO, Great Performances; Sylvia Center
Irwin Simon, Founder, Chairperson, President and CEO, Hain Celestial Group, Inc
Julie Suarez, Director of Public Policy, New York Farm Bureau
Eleanor Wilson, MS, RD, CDN, Senior Dietitian, Price Chopper Supermarkets, Inc
Catharine Young, New York State Senator, 57th District

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

New York State food policy historical documents include, but are not limited to:

Assembly Task Force on Food, Farm and Nutrition:

Council on Food and Nutrition Policy

Five-Year Food and Nutrition Plan (1988)