NYS-Good Food Purchasing Program Coalition Statement on Governor Hochul’s Veto of the Good Food NY Bill

Governor Hochul’s decision to veto the Good Food NY bill is a setback for New York farmers, workers, communities, and all of us who have been advocating for values-based food procurement in our state. This legislation, backed by farmers and food producers, food workers, municipalities, union leaders, and community advocates, represents a bold step toward creating a food system rooted in equity, sustainability, and local economic growth.

The NYS Good Food Purchasing Program Coalition and Good Food Buffalo Coalition, alongside countless partners across the state, worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life. We are deeply disappointed by this decision, but we remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing this critical work in the next legislative session.

The Good Food NY bill (A.7264A/S.6955A), championed by Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes and Senator Michelle Hinchey, was designed to transform New York’s public food procurement system. It would enable public institutions the option to factor values that elevate local economies, environmental sustainability, workforce fairness, health and nutrition equity, and animal welfare, and not the singular criteria of lowest bid into their food purchasing. By enabling institutions the flexibility to pay up to 10% above lowest bid for New York products, the bill aimed to level the playing field for small and mid-sized farmers while offering incentives to those small and large producers who are committed to climate-smart and socially beneficial practices.

Why This Matters

Under current state law municipal institutions are required to buy food from the lowest bidder, often putting New York farmers and producers at a disadvantage. The Good Food NY bill sought to change that by incentivizing local and values-aligned procurement—an approach that strengthens rural economies and uplifts the environmental, equity, and labor standards that many New Yorkers care deeply about.

This legislation is also strongly aligned with Governor Hochul’s current priorities such as Executive Order 32, Nourish NY, the 30% NYS Initiative, and the CLCPA, making it a logical next step for New York’s leadership in advancing sustainable and equitable food systems.

Looking Ahead

While this veto is a disappointment, our coalition sees it as a call to action. We know that this work is urgent. New Yorkers deserve a food system that reflects our shared values and supports local farmers, workers, and communities. We are recommitted to bringing even greater energy, voices, and support to the fight for Good Food NY in the next session.

We invite our partners and allies to join us in amplifying this moment—both to express the urgency of this work and to reaffirm our collective determination to see this bill pass into law. 

Together, we will continue to build a movement that prioritizes procurement policy that uplifts the voices of farmers, workers, and communities across the state.

For those looking to take action now, please consider:

• Sharing this statement with your networks

• Contacting your legislators to express continued support for values-based food procurement

• Staying connected with the NYS Good Food Purchasing Program Coalition for updates on next steps

About the NYS Good Food Purchasing Program Coalition

The Good Food NY bill is backed by hundreds of farmers, producer associations, several unions, food workers, government officials, and municipalities—many of whom belong to the New York State Good Food Purchasing Coalition. This statewide coalition is comprised of 70+ local and national food systems advocates led by Community Food Advocates (CFA), a New York nonprofit that advocates to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to healthy, affordable, and culturally affirming foods. 

You can learn more about The Good Food NY bill here. For more information about the Good Food NY Bill and its potential impact on New York’s farmers and food systems, please contact Ribka Getachew, Director of the NY Good Food Purchasing Program Campaign at rgetachew@foodadvocates.org.