Good afternoon! We hope you can join us for our next delicious Pathfinder Produce market, Thursday, March 14 from noon to 5 p.m. We’ve got the greatest tastes around, and you can’t beat our friendly, helpful assistants, all members of our Pathfinder Village Adult Day Services.
Also, for shoppers in the West Winfield area, Pathfinder Produce will be hosting a special “Showcase Market” at the Federated Church, 452 East Main Street, on Monday, March 18. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This market is open to the public and is a test run for expanding services through our new Mobile Market. Of course, folks in Edmeston and Morris can take advantage of our online ordering system too … just cruise over to our website and put in your order for delivery at either pick-up location.
This week promises to be very busy -- spring sports are already starting! Here at Pathfinder, we’re hosting our annual Otsego Academy Leadership Week with students from Colgate University’s Center for Outreach, Volunteerism and Education (COVE). The week after that is our lead up to the market’s sixth anniversary celebration and World Down Syndrome Day on 3-21!
***
Vote for Veggies!
As a college student, I had the opportunity to intern for a semester in Albany for a SUNY-run newspaper that focuses on state government, “The Legislative Gazette.” We cub reporters were put through our paces learning about law-making processes, getting immersed in politics, and churning out a weekly edition (which everyone in government read).
It was a great experience and taught me many skills that I still use: Even to this day when I hear of a bill that interests me, I will research it to learn more. This process is easier than ever with online access to the bills of both the Senate and Assembly. One note, the Senate site has “an app interface” where one may indicate if they approve or disapprove of any given bill, with links for sharing on social media; the Assembly site is a bit clunkier to use and doesn’t allow you to vote yay, nay, or share.
Recently I read a Facebook post by State Senator Jen Metzger of Rosendale (D-42nd District), the new Chair of the Agriculture Committee, of the passage of Senate bill S00252 that would make it easier for school districts to buy more locally grown produce as part of their lunch programs.
“What a great idea to support our own local agriculture!” I thought. I also wondered why we haven’t been doing this until now, but it was good to see that the bill had advanced from its first reading to the Local Governments Committee to the floor vote without any dissent. The Senate Bill was sponsored by Senator Timothy Kennedy of Buffalo (D-63rd), with co-sponsors Senator Rachel May of Syracuse (D-53rd) and Sen. Patti Richie of Oswegatchie (R-48th).
Senator Metzger wrote, “I’m happy to report that today (March 6), the New York State Senate unanimously passed Senate bill S252, which makes it easier for public schools to purchase fresh, locally-grown produce by eliminating the cap on local purchasing and allowing public schools to specify a regional preference in their bid and procurement requests.”
“Fostering strong farm-to-school connections is good for the health of our children and for our local agricultural producers and distributors who will benefit directly from this expanded market,” she added. “My long-term goal is to see all of our New York schools serving fresh, locally-sourced vegetables, fruits, and dairy products, and the passage of S252 brings us closer to realizing this.”
So, now that it’s cleared the Senate, the bill has been sent to the Assembly and has been referred to its Local Government Committee. I expect that the bill will also have strong support in the Assembly and that it soon will advance to the Governor for his signature. While nothing’s certain in government, it’s good to see that our state legislators want to put more locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables into our school students’ lunches … it’s a step in the right direction. And who knows, it may even encourage students to make better choices.
Until next time, vote for veggies!
Lori
