Rep. Delgado Connects with Local Farmers and Producers During Visit to New Lebanon Farmers Market

Statement

Today, U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, visited the New Lebanon Farmers Market in New Lebanon, NY. Located in an area that was a former food desert, the market supports local and regional farmers and food producers, provides residents and visitors with year-round and convenient access to nourishing food, and encourages agricultural practices that benefit local communities. Congressman Delgado connected with some of the local farmers and producers who sell their products at the market, met volunteers who help run the market, and spoke with New Lebanon customers who rely on the market for fresh, nutritious food since the town's only grocery store closed more than a dozen years ago.

"Previously, New Lebanon residents had to travel more than ten miles to the nearest grocery store to access fresh, affordable foods. The New Lebanon Farmers Market has become a fantastic resource and provides essential services to its community," said Rep. Delgado. "Today, it was great to hear directly from folks about the importance and the impact of the market. With volunteers, creativity, and federal funding, this market has helped our farmers and producers connect with consumers and provided residents in New Lebanon a more accessible place to get fresh, nutritious food. I will keep working to support legislation and local initiatives that benefit New York farmers and our communities."

"We really appreciate the Congressman's efforts to engage with the details of the problems small farmers face every day and his willingness to work with us to identify and implement real solutions," said Josh Young, Helper at the New Lebanon Farmers Market.

Rep. Delgado has fought tirelessly on behalf of upstate farmers and agricultural producers. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, he helps oversee and develop legislation to support New York farmers. Recently, Delgado has pushed to support dairy farmers by calling to stop the ban of flavored milks in NYC schools. The Congressman also voted to provide over $20 million for the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) for fiscal year (FY) 2022. These funds help support direct producer-to-consumer marketing and improve income and economic opportunities for producers and food businesses. Throughout the pandemic, Delgado fought to ensure that farmers and producers had a seat at the table when it came to COVID-19 relief efforts. Following his push, Congress passed bipartisan legislation that included critical funding to help farmers recover in the wake of the pandemic.

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