Blakeman: New Federal Milk Rules Must Benefit New York Farmers
Nassau County Executive and Republican candidate for Governor Bruce Blakeman today said new federal rules allowing whole and reduced-fat milk in schools must be used to directly support New York’s struggling dairy farmers — not out-of-state suppliers.
“With school districts now able to expand milk offerings, New York has a responsibility to make sure that increased demand benefits New York farmers,” Blakeman said. “As Governor, I will require state-funded schools and institutions to buy New York-produced milk whenever available.”
Blakeman noted that the change follows action at the federal level, where President Donald Trump signed legislation allowing schools to once again serve whole and reduced-fat milk. He said school meal programs are among the largest purchasers of fluid milk in the country, giving the state enormous leverage to stabilize dairy markets and protect family-run farms.
“For years, New York dairy farmers have been crushed by rising energy costs, overregulation, and shrinking markets,” Blakeman said. “This is a clear opportunity to use state purchasing power to keep farms in business and invest in rural communities.”
Blakeman said his administration would implement a statewide ‘Buy New York Dairy’ policy for schools and other publicly funded institutions, ensuring taxpayer dollars support New York agriculture first.
“This is about buying local and keeping New York farms in business,” Blakeman said. “When schools and public institutions buy milk, the state should make sure it comes from New York dairy farmers.”
Blakeman added that protecting agriculture will be a core priority of his governorship, alongside lowering energy costs, cutting red tape, and keeping family farms from leaving the state.
