New York State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle (Rep.-Selden) and Assemblyman Thomas P. DiNapoli (Dem.-Great Neck) have announced the passage of state legislation (S. 3188-A) that will establish a seven member authority whose charge it is to locate a suitable site for, and to develop a centrally located Long Island Farmers Market.

"Long Island has experienced tremendous population growth in the past 25 years and the existing food distribution system - that is principally reliant on the Hunts Point Market in the Bronx - is proving to be inadequate," observed Assemblyman Thomas P. DiNapoli. "The establishment of a common place for buyers and sellers of agriculture and fish products harvested on the island would rectify this situation and provide an enormous boost for the economies of Nassau and Suffolk Counties."

"I am encouraged that, after years of working on this legislation, we are a governor's signature away from bringing a regional farmer's market authority to Long Island," said Senator Kenneth LaValle. "The agricultural and fishing industries are critical to the health and well-being of Long Island's economy. A Long Island Market Authority will not only boost the local economy and create jobs, but will provide Long Island consumers access to fresher produce and fish at lower prices."

Farming has been an important part of Long Island's heritage and is an important economic contributor for the region. Suffolk is the state's leading agricultural county with an estimated economic value of the products produced at over $133 million. There are approximately 655 farms creating in excess of 10,000 jobs and containing more than 37,000 acres of farmland in Suffolk County. This is less than one-half the acreage that was available in 1950. In fact, according to the American Farmland Trust, Long Island is ranked in the top 20 of the most threatened agricultural regions in the nation.

The creation of the Long Island Regional Market can result in:

* New jobs for Long Islanders.

* Lower food prices and fresher foods for customers.

* More efficient local processing and food distribution.

* Greater crop diversification, preservation of farmlands, and increased revenue for farmers.

* Stimulation of the agriculture and fishing industries.

"The regional market allows the agricultural community to control their own destiny by marketing their own products," stated Joseph Gergela, executive director of the Long Island Farm Bureau. "Institutions, food purveyors, flower and nursery buyers, restaurateurs, and the general public would have better access to 'Grown on Long Island' products."

"As the leading agricultural county in New York State, the establishment of a Long Island Market Authority makes clear and absolute sense," said Senator LaValle. "The Legislature's overwhelming support of this measure sends a positive message to Long Island's farmers and fishermen in terms of recognizing the challenges they face in our changing economy and their determination to work to ensure the stability of their industries."

"By providing an alternative economic outlet for agricultural products grown on Long Island, the east end agricultural community and the farmland they are dependent upon will be sustained. This regional market initiative should be viewed as a key element for an economically and environmentally sustainable Long Island," concluded Assemblyman DiNapoli.

The bill has passed the Assembly and the Senate and will be forwarded to the governor.