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Photo by Scott Levy
Long Island farmers, who play a large role in feeding the island’s hungry, are in danger of losing their federal tax credit for crop donations when current legislation expires at the end of the year, according to U.S. Representative Tim Bishop’s office.
“It’s been scaring most of us,” said Migdalia Otero, the vice president of programs and operations at Island Harvest, the island’s largest food rescue organization. She said without the tax incentive, most farmers couldn’t afford to donate the more than 500,000 pounds of produce her organization receives from them annually.
“Their sole way of surviving is by getting their produce out there and selling it,” she said of the 25 farmers who donate to Island Harvest. “So they can do this mainly because of the tax credit.”
Congressman Bishop and Island Harvest announced support of a Congressional bill that would permanently instate the tax credit for farmers and ranchers at a November 2 press conference in Riverhead. The bill would allow farmers to receive tax deductions on the full market value for produce that cannot or will not be sold. By providing financial assistance to farmers who donate their crops, the bill, cited as the Good Samaritan Hunger Relief Tax Incentive Extension Act of 2009, would increase the amount of locally grown produce donated to Island Harvest, which partners with more than 570 relief agencies across Long Island, supporting the estimated 300,000 Long Islanders who access shelters, food pantries and emergency food programs, according to a press release.
“Congressman Bishop and Long Island’s farmers have been exceptionally supportive in helping Island Harvest in our fight against hunger,” said Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest, in the press release. “We are grateful for their efforts; this important legislation will help provide more healthy fruits and vegetables to those Long Islanders’ who face hunger each day.”
Currently, farmers receive a tax deduction for crop donations under provisions in previously passed acts, but those provisions are set to expire on December 31, said a representative at Congressman Bishop’s office. The bill is sitting in congressional committee, an early stage of legislation, but has 22 sponsors, bipartisan support and versions in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, according to the congressman’s office. If the bill is not passed by the end of the year, Congressman Bishop hopes to make the deduction retroactive next year to cover the lapse.
“During these difficult economic times, this tax incentive would be a win-win for our farmers and for those who are struggling to find food to eat,” said Congressman Bishop in the press release. “Rather than letting excess produce go to waste, farmers can support local charities such as Island Harvest that serve those in need on Long Island.”
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