FAQs Regarding 30% NY Initiative Reimbursement
Cheryl Bilinski, Local Food Systems Specialist, Farm to School Lead
Harvest New York
Last Modified: September 16, 2024
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)
Upcoming Events
Urban Farming from the Ground Up
August 10, 2026
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Bronx, NY
Join CCE Harvest NY Specialist Karen Guzman to turn a community center into an urban farm! This is an open volunteer event.Rochester Soil Health Day
September 1, 2026
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Rochester, NY
Join Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest NY, New York State Soil Health, and Foodlink for interactive activities focused on soil health and an opportunity to get your garden soil screened for lead (reservation required).Resilient Gardens Conference
September 18 - September 19, 2026
Fri: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm; Sat: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Poughkeepsie, NY
The third Resilient Gardens Conference will focus on culturally relevant gardening skills and community garden management for the unique resource needs of urban gardeners. This two-day event will feature education and practical skills on day one; we'll hear from leaders of diverse stakeholder groups on strategies to overcome these issues in cities and rural communities and connecting resources between Cornell Cooperative Extension and leading community gardens. The second day is optional and will include tours of local gardening projects across Poughkeepsie and Kingston NY. This event is primarily open to Seed to Supper Garden Educators, CCE Educators, Master Gardener Volunteers and Upstate Seed to Supper Program Participants, as well as partner Community Gardens involved with Harvest NY.