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State Senate passes Byron-Bergen students' yogurt bill

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The New York State Senate has passed legislation, sponsored by State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer, to name yogurt as the official snack for the State of New York. The bill, S.6695, passed by a 52 to 8 vote.   

“Yogurt is not only a delicious, healthy treat; it is also an economic driver for many communities in New York, with yogurt manufacturers located all across the State – from Western New York to Long Island. That is why yogurt is such a suitable choice to be New York’s State snack,” Ranzenhofer said. “I am pleased that the State Senate has approved this bill, and I encourage the State Assembly to pass it.” 

A Byron-Bergen fourth-grade class, while studying the history and government of New York State, wrote to Senator Ranzenhofer to suggest the idea for the bill.

“The idea for this legislation started in a Genesee County classroom, not at the State Capitol. A lot of credit goes to Craig Schroth and his fourth-grade class at Byron-Bergen Central School District for all of their hard work, research and study that went into proposing this bill,” Ranzenhofer said. “Today’s vote to designate yogurt as the State snack is an example of democracy in action.”

New York is the number one processor of yogurt in the United States. Increasing demand for milk, the primary component in yogurt, has helped to support and grow the State’s dairy industry. New York is now fifth in the nation in milk production, producing over 13 billion pounds in 2012, in part fueled by the demand from yogurt processors.

Assemblyman William Magee has introduced the bill in the New York State Assembly. Assemblyman Stephen Hawley is a co-sponsor of the legislation. The bill has been sent to the State Assembly.  

New York State has many other official state symbols, including a beverage, milk; a muffin, apple muffin; a fruit, apple; a tree, sugar maple; a flower, rose; a shell, bay scallop; a fish, brook trout; a bird, bluebird; an animal, beaver; a gem, wine-red garnet; and an insect, ladybug.

UPDATE: The New York TimesAnimated Debate in New York State Capital? It’s About Yogurt

One senator, Liz Krueger, a Manhattan Democrat, suggested the designation might be inconsiderate to people who are lactose intolerant. Another, Gustavo Rivera, a Bronx Democrat, wondered if yogurt could count as a snack if it were consumed at breakfast time.

Cheryl Saville

I agree with Jeff, what a wonderful experience for those 4th graders. It also pays tribute to the yogurt manufacturers here in Genesee County. Win-Win

May 7, 2014, 8:47am Permalink
Debbie Paine

It is a great experience for those kids, and kudos to Mr. Schroth for providing the opportunity for his students. Great story!

But after reading the update from the NY Times, I nearly threw up in my mouth.

May 7, 2014, 12:25pm Permalink
Tim Miller

Two thoughts came to mind on that last paragraph...

Yogurt, like orange juice...it's not just for breakfast anymore...

WON'T SOMEBODY THINK OF THE CHILDREN, Errr, I mean LACTOSE INTOLLERANT?!?

May 7, 2014, 1:10pm Permalink
JT Hunt

What about apples? Not as many foreign proprietors and a higher profit margin. Plus NOTHING compares to a crisp NY state apple. Apples here are lame. Apples are one of the things I do miss....

May 7, 2014, 8:21pm Permalink
JT Hunt

Letterman just did a bit called your new york tax dollars at work. Showed NY state senate debate about snack. Very very last second of video footage was the gene see county rep, whoever that is

May 7, 2014, 11:51pm Permalink
Phil Ricci

We have roads and bridges? Yuck.

I'm a Libertarian, the news says I'm not suppose to like those. :-)

(Disclosure: For those who cannot interpret this, I am in fact in favor of roads and bridges. This was sarcasm. Thank you. :-))

May 9, 2014, 2:24pm Permalink

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