Bill to promote NY-grown products in restaurants passes Senate, Assembly
Syracuse, N.Y. -- New logos indicating New York-produced food could show up on your menus soon, according to legislation that passed the New York State Legislature today. The "Dine: Pride of New York" bill passed the Assembly and Senate today. The bill, if signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, would allow restaurants that feature locally grown or produced ingredients to promote that farm-to-table closeness with a special logo.
"Statewide, and especially in Central New York, more and more consumers are looking for local products on restaurant menus," said Sen. David Valesky, D-Oneida, who sponsored the bill. "This legislation will create a statewide marketing opportunity for restaurants to let customers know they are cooking with or significantly featuring locally grown ingredients in their dishes."
According to the legislation, restaurants must demonstrate that 15 percent of their total ingredients are grown and/or processed in New York in order to qualify for a Dine: Pride of New York designation.
Restaurants and food sellers that are designated would be allowed to use a logo to hang in their front windows and for advertising and marketing purposes. The businesses would also be listed in a directory on the state Agriculture and Markets website.
Read more at http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/05/bill_to_promote_ny-grown_produ.html