NY Farms! to launch campaign at State Fair, Aug. 25

By Blaine P. Friedlander Jr.

NY Farms! will kickoff its "Buy New York" campaign on Monday, Aug. 25, at 10:30 a.m. at the New York State Fair in Syracuse. The kickoff rally ­ designed to encourage consumer loyalty to New York farm products ­ will take place in front of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets booth in the Horticulture Building on the fairgrounds.

Judy Green of Cornell's Farming Alternatives Program, which is one of the founding organizations of NY Farms!, said: "Public choices have a huge impact on agriculture in New York state. Supporting New York farms by buying locally grown products helps strengthen local economies, improves the environment, provides access to more fresh and more wholesome food, and helps stabilize our food system."

The Department of Agriculture and Markets will be showing off at its booth its own "Pride of New York" initiative, which focuses on getting more visibility for New York farm products through the "Pride of New York" label. The booth, a 60-foot display of New York's agricultural products, will include a fresh produce wagon, a freezer display and a schedule of processors offering taste tests to fairgoers.

"We are pleased to have this opportunity with the Department of Agriculture and Markets, because the 'Buy New York' campaign dovetails so well with their 'Pride of New York' initiative," said Dan Donahue, executive secretary of the New York Horticultural Society and current chair of the NY Farms! steering committee.

"The department's 'Pride of New York' program and the 'Buy New York' initiative both address the need to educate consumers about the abundance, variety and quality of New York agricultural products," said Donald Davidsen, commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Markets.

"It is the department's goal to identify these products as New York grown, produced or processed and to encourage consumers and retailers to buy these products," Davidsen said.

NY Farms! was organized in response to concerns over the increased pressure being experienced by the state's growers. The "Buy New York" campaign is the first major action of the growing group, which consists of more than two dozen organizations. Their goals include:

• A vibrant and diverse agricultural and food system that meets the needs of farm families, consumers and the environment;

• A New York public that actively supports New York farmers, farming and the protection of the productive farmland; and

• An agricultural industry that enhances the environment, meets human food needs and fosters community development.

For information about NY Farms!, contact Susan E. Mihalyi, at 1-888-NYFARMS (693-2767) or by e-mail at pofstaff@aardvark.org.

Also, Dan Donahue of the New York Horticultural Society can be reached at (315) 787-2404, or by e-mail at donahue@epix.net.