Legislature making it easier to shop local

Where can you buy all those great New York products?

That question could be answered by a bill waiting to be sent to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Earlier this year the Assembly and state Senate both approved a bill that would create "Shop: Pride of New York" program, which is designed to spread awareness about retailers and wholesalers that sell foods produced in the state.

"The current Pride of New York program has been instrumental in creating awareness about goods and products that are produced in-state," reads the bill memorandum. "While retailers and wholesalers are included in the program, the food itself has always been the focus."

The bill memo notes recent polling that suggests New Yorkers would be more likely to buy local products if they can conveniently locate the shops that sell those products.This program would let retailers and wholesalers brag to the world that they're the place to buy New York products by providing them access to promotional materials and featuring them on a website dedicated to the program.

"This type of branding has been shown to positively affect consumer behavior. Individuals are bound to prefer, and pay a premium for: products labeled as produced locally or in-state," says the bill memo. "Shop: Pride of New York will shine a light on those businesses locally sourcing, and help drive consumers to their doors."

If the program yields results, the bill memo argues that more businesses will want to carry New York products. 

Retailers must sell at least 20 different types of food or food products made in New York to qualify and standards for wholesalers would be determined in the future.

This bill is one of 79 pieces of legislation that have passed both houses of the state Legislature and are waiting to be sent to the governor.

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