Referred to: The Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture Committee (Chairman Cahill and Legislators Corcoran, Criswell, Hewitt, Litts, Maloney and Sperry), and The Ways and Means Committee (Chairman Gavaris and Legislators Cahill, Criswell, Roberts, and Ronk)

Legislator Megan Sperry and Legislator Bartels offer the following:

WHEREAS, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, more than 34 million people, including 9 million children, in the United States are food insecure, with 12% of Ulster County residents and 17% of Ulster County children reported as being food insecure; and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Legislature is committed to finding ways to address the serious and imminent threat that food insecurity poses to families in Ulster County by finding ways to improve access to healthy, locally sourced food; and

WHEREAS, Ulster County is home to a thriving agricultural community; and

WHEREAS, many Ulster County farms participate in Community Supported Agriculture (“CSA”) programs, which establish a direct relationship between Ulster County farmers and consumers; and

WHEREAS, each CSA share provides enough food to feed a family of 4 people at a cost of approximately $750.00 per share, per year; and

WHEREAS, based upon food insecurity confronting Ulster County residents and the availability of fresh food produced by farmers within Ulster County, the Legislature deems it necessary and appropriate to enact a policy to purchase CSA shares from Ulster County farms and distribute the food yielded from said CSA shares to individuals and families facing food insecurity; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, it shall be the policy of Ulster County to purchase CSA shares from farmers within Ulster County, with all of the food yielded from each share being distributed to individuals and families facing food insecurity; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the policy as set forth herein, shall be overseen and administered by the Ulster County Department of Planning Economic Development; and be further

RESOLVED, that no later than September 1, 2023, the Director of Economic Development, or her/his/their designee, shall prepare and submit a written report to the Clerk of the Ulster County Legislature for review by the Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture Committee detailing plans for implementation of the policy set forth herein; and, be it further

RESOLVED, should the program not be implemented in 2023, the funding appropriated pursuant to this policy shall be included and identified in the 2024 Proposed Ulster County Budget; and be it further

RESOLVED, that no later than September 1st of each year following 2023, the Director of Planning Economic Development, or her/his/their designee, shall prepare and submit a written report to the Clerk of the Ulster County Legislature detailing the services provided in accordance with the policy set forth herein; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the 2023 Ulster County Budget is hereby amended as follows:

INCREASE                                         AMOUNT

AA.8020.3400-4300.4505            Professional Services Other Fees     $100,000.00

AA.8021.3405-4300.4505

(App. #)

AA.9900.9900-3700.9990              Appropriated Fund Balance              $100,000.00

(Rev. #),

and, be it further

RESOLVED, that no section of this resolution shall be interpreted as augmenting the existing legislative process for expenditures,        

and moves its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                        NOES:      

Passed Committee: Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture on April 3, 2023

Postponed in Committee:  Ways and Means for one week on April 11, 2023

Postponed in Committee: Ways and Means on April 18, 2023

Passed Committee: Ways and Means on ______________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

$100,000.00 - ADDITIONAL 2023 APPROPRIATION DOLLARS