Pathways to Progress: Evaluating the Growth and Impact of the 30% NY Initiative in 2023-24 is a product of Cornell University Farm to School (CU F2S). The report analyzes the procurement data of 73 School Food Authorities (SFAs) that qualified for the 30% New York State Initiative (NY30) based on NY food product (NYFP) purchases made during the 2023-24 school year (SY). The goals of this analysis are to:

• Assess the growth of the NY30 program and measure progress in relation to its legislative intent.
• Evaluate purchasing patterns across various food industry groups, comparing current data with purchases from the 2019-20 SY.
• Identify current barriers to purchasing NYFPs across food industry groups and compare these with the barriers identified in 2019-20.
• Examine strategies and resources that enhance the likelihood that SFAs will be successful in the NY30.
• Identify areas where further research is needed to advance the NY30 program.

Written by Cheryl Bilinski, Local Foods Systems Specialist and Cornell Farm to Institution Program Director, CCE Harvest NY with funding provided by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.