Tax credit benefits farmers, food pantries

Farmers who donate to local food banks are now eligible to receive tax credits.

The tax credit, which Gov. Andrew Cuomo approved on Tuesday, is expected to save farmers a total of $10 million annually. According to the New York Farm Bureau, farmers across the state donated more than 9million pounds of food in 2017, which helped provide more than 7 million meals to New Yorkers in need.

“This administration is committed to stomping out hunger in every corner of New York, and by establishing an incentive to increase access to farm-fresh products, we are one step closer to this goal,” Cuomo said. “Refund--

ing farmers for their generous food donations not only supports the state’s agricultural economy, but en- courages more New Yorkers to help end hunger in our communities once and for all.”

The tax credit, which is supported by the New York State Council on Hunger and Food Policy, is a refundable credit equal to 25 percent of the fair market value of qualified donations up to $5,000. Eligible donations include fresh fruits and vegetables grown or produced in New York state and provided to emergency food programs that qualify for tax exempt status. To claim the credit, the taxpayer must receive proof of the donation in the form of a receipt or written acknowledgment from the eligible food program.

“This tax credit will benefit the relationship between our local farms and our communities by building support between those who work to address issues of hunger at the local level, and those who produce and distribute good wholesome food products,” said Assemblyman Bill Magee, D-121, chair of the Committee on Agriculture. “I have long supported this initiative and I am glad to see it come to fruition.”

“New York Farm Bureau is excited to see the rollout of the Farm to Food Bank Tax Credit,” said New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher. “This has been a priority issue for our organization’s members who routinely donate to their regional food banks and local pantries. The credit will help offset the costs of picking, packing and transporting the food to the donation centers, while also increasing access of fresh, local food to New Yorkers in need.”