FAQs Regarding 30% NY Initiative Reimbursement

Cheryl Bilinski, Local Food Systems Specialist, Farm to School Lead
Harvest New York

Last Modified: September 16, 2024
FAQs Regarding 30% NY Initiative Reimbursement

A provision of the No Student Goes Hungry legislation provides School Food Authorities (SFAs) an additional $.19 per lunch served in State reimbursement provided 30% of lunch purchases are NY Food Products. It is known colloquially as the "30% NY Initiative". The additional reimbursement is tied to the SFA, which varies by district. Through the 30% NY Initiative, students gain access to healthy local food, SFAs receive needed additional State reimbursement, and local businesses are supported. To learn more about the opportunity, which entity receives the additional reimbursement, tentative reimbursement rates, and benefits of the program, please refer to the FAQs Regarding 30% NY Initiative Reimbursement factsheet linked below. 



FAQs Regarding 30% NY Initiative Reimbursement (pdf; 147KB)


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Upcoming Events

Companion Planting in the Food Garden--with Mushrooms!

November 12, 2025
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Brooklyn, NY

Companion planting (or intercropping) is an ancient method of increasing yields and maximizing growing space. Learn how to diversify your garden harvest while enjoying the mutual benefits of intercropping with mushrooms, such as improving soil health and water retention. Plan next spring's garden with guidance from Urban Agriculture Specialist Yolanda Gonzalez on growing three different types of mushrooms, from site selection to harvest. Take home a native plant to try!

NYC Mushroom Summit

December 5, 2025
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
New York, NY

The NYC Mushroom Summit, hosted by the Cornell Small Farms Program, will convene a regional network of mushroom farmers and educators from indoor, outdoor, and community production systems; restaurateurs, food creatives and chefs; and extension, government and industry representatives. This diverse group will work together to determine grower research and marketing needs, interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities, and community building initiatives. Group conversations and presentations will be structured around value added products, frontiers in mycology research, and peer-to-peer learning.

Pruning & Fruit Tree Health 101

December 13, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Cambria Heights, NY

Join us at Cambria Heights Community Garden for a free, hands-on workshop with CCE Harvest NY Urban Garden Specialist Karen Guzman. Participants will learn about basic tree maintenance and pruning techniques. Proper winter care helps trees conserve energy, prevent damage from cold weather, and prepare for growth in the spring.  

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New York Urban Farms Sustainable Pest Management Fact Sheet Series

Cornell Cooperative Extension has partnered with dozens of urban farms across New York State to demonstrate and evaluate sustainable pest management strategies. Together with farmers, we found success using control methods that prevent or reduce crop losses through exclusion strategies, crop timing, host resistance, the introduction of beneficial organisms, and more. Regardless of management strategy used, common requirements for success include a knowledge of the pest and disease complex, preventative deployment and commitment to the process. The New York Urban Farms Sustainable Pest Management Fact Sheet Series includes case studies highlighting pest management techniques that New York urban farms have found valuable.