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Bill

S 6493

Directs the commissioner of agriculture and markets to establish a program to provide funding to emergency food providers to purchase prepared meals from New York restaurants and deliver them to families in need

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Cordell Cleare

Establishes a state-funded program allowing emergency food providers to buy prepared meals from New York restaurants and deliver them to families in need.

REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE
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Bill Summary · S 6493

Summary of Bill S.6493 (New York)

Overview

Bill S.6493 directs the New York State Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets to establish a program that would provide funding to emergency food providers. The purpose is to enable these providers to purchase prepared meals from New York restaurants and deliver them to families in need.

Purpose and Intent

  • Create a funded program aimed at supporting both emergency food providers and local restaurants.
  • Increase the availability of ready-to-eat meals to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.
  • Strengthen local food-access networks by leveraging NY restaurants as meal suppliers for relief efforts.

Key Provisions (What the bill would establish or authorize)

  • Requirement for the Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets to establish a program (or funding mechanism) to support emergency food providers.
  • Use of funds to purchase prepared meals from New York-based restaurants.
  • Delivery of these prepared meals to families and individuals in need.
  • Administrative framework to govern procurement, disbursement of funds, and meal delivery.

Note: The specific details—such as eligible entities, funding levels, duration, procurement rules, meal standards, and reporting requirements—will be defined in the bill text and any subsequent amendments. This summary reflects the bill’s stated purpose and structure as introduced.

Administration and Funding

  • Proponent: Primary sponsor Cordell Cleare.
  • Administered by: Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets (New York State).
  • Funding and governance details are to be set forth in the bill’s substantive provisions.

Beneficiaries and Eligible Participants

  • Primary beneficiaries: Emergency food providers (e.g., food banks, pantries, soup kitchens, and similar organizations operating in New York).
  • Secondary beneficiaries: New York restaurants supplying prepared meals.
  • Families and individuals in need of food assistance receive the delivered meals.

Legislative Status and Timeline

  • Introduced: March 14, 2025.
  • Status: Referred to the Agriculture committee.
  • Legislative Actions recorded: two entries of “REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE” on March 14, 2025 (likely a clerical duplication in the record).
  • Next steps: Advancement through the Agriculture committee, potential amendments, and eventual floor consideration.

Related Legislation

  • Related/companion measures: S 1906 and S 9110 (prior-session), A 4952 (companion, NY Assembly). These bills indicate parallel or prior efforts addressing similar objectives.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Positive: Supports local restaurants and emergency food networks; increases access to ready meals for families in need; may stimulate local economies.
  • Considerations: Funding size and sustainability; ensuring meals meet nutritional standards; establishing transparent procurement and oversight; preventing duplication with existing hunger-relief programs; geographic coverage and reach within the state.

Next Steps for Readers

  • Monitor Agriculture committee proceedings for hearings, amendments, and voting.
  • Compare with related bills (S 1906, S 9110, A 4952) for alignment or differences in scope and funding.
  • Review the full bill text upon release to understand eligibility criteria, funding mechanisms, performance metrics, and reporting requirements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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