S3546

The New York State Senate passed the FRESH Act on a 55-1 vote, legislation designed to eliminate food deserts across the state by providing financial incentives for supermarkets to open in underserved urban and rural communities. Sponsored by Sen. Kennedy, the Food Retail Establishment Subsidization for Healthy Communities Act addresses what supporters characterized as both a public health crisis and civil rights issue. Kennedy invoked the May 2022 Buffalo shooting at Tops Friendly Markets, the only full-service supermarket in that neighborhood, as a stark example of the consequences of food deserts in low-income communities. Sen. Webb, whose district spans Broome, Cortland, and Tompkins counties, emphasized that many constituents lack access to fresh produce and healthy foods, forcing reliance on convenience stores with limited offerings and higher prices. She noted the legislation would also support local farmers and producers while improving public health outcomes related to chronic diseases. Only Sen. Skoufis voted against the measure. The bill takes effect April 1.

The New York State Senate passed the FRESH Act on a 59-4 roll call vote, legislation designed to combat food deserts by incentivizing supermarket investment in underserved urban and rural communities. Senate Print 3546, sponsored by Sen. Kennedy, amends the Urban Development Corporation Act to encourage grocery retailers to establish operations in areas currently lacking adequate access to fresh produce and healthy food options. Kennedy, whose Buffalo district includes neighborhoods where residents live more than a mile from a supermarket without personal transportation, cited national data showing 23.5 million Americans live in food deserts. He referenced two recent crises in Western New York—the May 14th mass shooting at a Tops Friendly Markets location in a food desert and looting of an Aldi supermarket during December's blizzard—as examples of how vulnerable these communities become when dependent on single grocery sources. The legislation requires participating supermarkets to provide locally sourced produce and create jobs in the communities they serve. Kennedy thanked Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Michelle Hinchey for their support. Senators Brisport, Griffo, Skoufis, and Walczyk voted against the measure. The bill takes effect April 1.