Section 259. Legislative findings

The legislature hereby finds and declares
  that  farmers'  markets  provide  a vital and highly effective marketing
  mechanism for thousands of New  York  farmers,  improve  the  access  of
  consumers  and  wholesalers to New York farm products, and contribute to
  the economic revitalization of  the  areas  in  which  the  markets  are
  located.  The legislature further declares that farmers' markets provide
  consumers with access to a wide range of high quality, nutritious,  farm
  fresh  and  processed  New  York  state  agricultural and food products;
  facilitate expanded  wholesale  distribution  of  New  York  state  farm
  products to retail stores, restaurants, institutions and other wholesale
  food buyers; provide new and expanded farm and city jobs in agricultural
  production,  marketing,  and sales, and in market facilities development
  and operation; promote consumer awareness of New York state  agriculture
  and  agricultural  products;  and foster economic and social interaction
  between urban and rural residents of the state.
    It is therefore the intent of the legislature and the purpose of  this
  article  to  encourage  farmers' markets in the state by providing state
  assistance to municipalities and public and private agencies  interested
  in  developing  new markets or expanding or reconstructing existing farm
  market operations.