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Q&A
DCAS efforts to increase local food purchasing for city agencies
1:03:29
ยท
100 sec
Council Member Brewer inquires about DCAS's efforts to increase local food purchasing for various city agencies. Commissioner Molina outlines the department's initiatives and partnerships to promote locally grown and produced products.
- DCAS has partnered with organizations like the New York State Department of Agriculture, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and Grown NYC to locate and promote local products
- Efforts are being made to enhance menu planning and incorporate more New York State products in food procurement
- Local sourcing mandates apply to several categories, including fruits, vegetables, meats, poultry, and baking products
- DCAS is actively working to increase local food purchasing and is aware of the council's concerns on this issue
Gale A. Brewer
1:03:29
The other question I have is just about food.
1:03:31
You know it so well.
1:03:32
Yes.
1:03:32
But my question is, you purchased for Rikers, you purchased for, HRA, and you purchased for DFTA.
1:03:39
And my question is, what are you doing, Carmine knows this?
1:03:42
What are you doing to have more local purchasing?
1:03:46
What's the, you know, dollar figure, etcetera?
Louis Molina
1:03:54
So I'll share with you that we have partnered with organizations including the New York State Department of Agriculture, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and Grown NYC to locate and promote locally grown and produced products.
1:04:09
Furthermore, we are collaborating with agencies to enhance menu planning and incorporate more New York State products, which is something I know that's important to you, council member.
1:04:19
Whenever possible, DCAS does food biz require the inclusion of New York State products based on the successful procurement of these items.
1:04:27
In previous contracts, for example, apples and onions are mandated as New York State products due to their consistent availability in past procurements.
1:04:38
Local sourcing mandates apply to several categories, including processed fresh and frozen fruits, halal and kosher meals, fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, and poultry, as well as baking products.
Gale A. Brewer
1:04:53
Okay.
1:04:53
So what you're saying is that you're making big efforts to try to, do more.
Louis Molina
1:04:58
Absolutely.
Gale A. Brewer
1:04:58
That's what you're saying.
1:04:59
Absolutely.
1:04:59
And so we can have
Louis Molina
1:05:00
We've talked about food before and
Gale A. Brewer
1:05:01
I know.
1:05:02
I've been talking the same thing
Louis Molina
1:05:03
Yeah.
Gale A. Brewer
1:05:03
Me forever.
1:05:04
But I appreciate that you're aware of the concern and then we can keep working on it.
1:05:08
Yep.
1:05:08
And then just finally, I know that the question of the closure of all of the h and h sites.