Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara announced that the final state budget includes a tax credit for farmers who donate fruits, vegetables and other farm products to local food banks. The "Farm-to-Food Bank” credit ensures more New Yorkers have access to healthy food while encouraging farmers to harvest crops that otherwise might go to waste.

“Hard times should not mean making impossible choices about the food you put on the dinner table. Not when New York’s farmers have an abundance of food they’re willing to donate,” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, who serves on the State Assembly's Agriculture Committee. “The costs of bringing these crops to our food banks and pantries have needlessly stood in the way of feeding families in need and with this new tax credit good food will not go to waste.”

The “Farm to Food Bank” credit would give farmers an exemption of 25 percent of the cost of donations to food banks and emergency food programs, up to $5,000. Last year, New York farmers donated a combined 13.2 million pounds of food – the second highest amount for any state in the country – according to the American Farm Bureau.

“Hardworking farmers are at the heart of New York's history of thriving agriculture and they have my commitment that I'll keep working to make sure we continue to preserve that legacy here in upstate New York,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara.