30% NY Documentation Requirement Guides and Recorded Webinars
Becky O'Connor, Farm to School Coordinator, WNY & Finger Lakes
Harvest New York

The 30% NY Documentation Requirement Guide provides general guidance designed to prepare School Food Authorities to be successful in their 30% NY initiative audits. The guide focuses on the documentation required to accurately and sufficiently demonstrate various types of products qualify as NY purchases per the NY State Department of Education's parameters.
While the NY State Department of Education was consulted in the development of the guide, School Food Authorities are ultimately responsible for ensuring their documentation is accurate and sufficient. We encourage you to work with a Farm to School Coordinator throughout this process.
In addition to downloading this file, you can also view the 30% NY Documentation Requirements for School Food Authorities recorded webinar and the the 30% NY Documentation Requirements for Food Producers, Manufacturers, Processors and Farmers recorded webinar. These webinars were developed as accompaniments to the guide, and provide a deep-dive into the documentation requirements for a variety of purchasing scenarios. They were specifically designed for their respective audiences.
30% NY Initiative Documentation Requirement Guide (pdf; 2046KB)
30% NY Initiative Documentation for School Food Authorities Webinar PDF (pdf; 3247KB)
30% NY Initiative Documentation for Producers and Processors Webinar PDF (pdf; 3816KB)
Upcoming Events
Pruning & Fruit Tree Health 101 (Flushing, NY)
February 22, 2026
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Flushing, NY
Join us at Ridgewood 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. NOTE: This event was postponed from January 25 to February 22 due to the weather.
Urban Ag Food Safety Webinar
March 11, 2026
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Urban and small-scale producers are encouraged to join us for the Urban Ag Food Safety webinar, featuring speakers from Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell IPM. We will explore the 'why' behind food safety, providing a basic overview and diving into specific urban ag considerations including water, pest, rodent, and soil health challenges. We will touch on the regulation and marketing landscape, and share resources for learning more. Bring your questions!Announcements
Community Gardens Soil Testing Program Accepting Applications
Soil testing supports the growth and expansion of community gardens by protecting the health and safety of the food produced in these gardens. CCE Harvest NY, in partnership with the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets (AGM) and the Cornell Soil Health Lab, is offering eligible, food-producing gardens in New York State the opportunity to send soil samples for testing without charge.The soil test will analyze samples for heavy metals and nutrient levels. Test results help gardeners make appropriate plans to produce high quality fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Technical support and education for participating growers will be available from the CCE Harvest New York team. Learn more about the 2026 Community Gardens Soil Testing Program.
2025 Year in Review
2025 was another year of growth and accomplishment for CCE Harvest NY! Our 2025 Year in Review highlights our impacts and details our work.- Farm to School Local Procurement by the Numbers
- Biochar in the NYC Urban Agriculture Landscape
- Harvest New York Supports Farmer-Led Research Advancing Upland Rice Production in New York State
- Community Garden Soil Testing Program Yields Great Results
- Regional Roots: Culinary Training to Enhance School Meals with Local Foods
- Rooted in Learning: Strengthening Farm to School Connections Across New York
- South Lawn Farm Expands Fresh Food Access and Urban Farming Opportunities
- NYS Summit Advances the Mushroom Industry
- Research to Manage Pests in Blueberries with Less Sprays
- Building a Research and Extension Hub at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
- A Successful Community Garden Leadership Program Pilot
- Farm to School Events Deliver Education, Culinary Training, and Business to Business Opportunities
- A Trusted Source of Science-Based Information for the Cannabis sativa Hemp Industry
- Sustainable Pest Management for New York Urban Farmers
- Cultivating Resilience: Harvest New York Drives the State's Climate Goals Through Research and Outreach
- Expanding Agritourism Outreach Across New York State
- Coordinating City Agencies, Academia, and Community Gardens to Improve Urban Soils
- USDA Urban Agriculture Training Development Complete
