December 23, 2024
By Total Food Service
As New York City prepares to implement congestion pricing in January 2025 (IN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS!), concerns are mounting among the city’s food vendors and distributors.
The new tolls, designed to reduce traffic and fund public transportation, threaten to disrupt the vital food supply chain that supports restaurants, schools, healthcare dining facilities, and hunger relief organizations.
Without a carve-out for food distributors, the policy could lead to increased costs that ripple through the city’s dining ecosystem and ultimately land on consumers.
Colin O’Neil of O’Neil Strategies emphasized the urgency of the issue: “The congestion pricing plan fails to account for the essential role food distributors play in the city’s economy and well-being. Without an exemption, this policy could choke the very lifeline that feeds New York City. This is not about the politics of the issue, nobody disagrees with the funding of mass transit. This is about the reality of who is going to end up paying for the increased cost of food that will come as a result of this legislation."
O’Neil has been recruited by a coalition of food distributors to serve as the “point” to convince Governor Kathy Hochul and legislators that a carve out prior the January 4, 2025 launch of combustion pricing in NYC is a must.
His extensive lobbying record on behalf of farm and agriculture sectors solidifies his role as a trusted advocate for food producers and distributors. Over the years, O’ Neil has spearheaded policy initiatives and coalition efforts that have directly supported sustainable agriculture, fair market access, and food affordability.
His advocacy has bridged gaps between stakeholders and policymakers, earning bipartisan support for solutions that benefit the agricultural community.
Colin’s work includes championing federal policies to promote farm innovation, reduce regulatory burdens, and secure funding for agricultural programs. His efforts have also focused on protecting farmers’ interests in trade negotiations and addressing challenges posed by evolving food safety and environmental regulations.
Through O’Neil Strategies, LLC, Colin brings this wealth of experience to New York City’s food distributors coalition, providing strategic guidance to safeguard their interests and ensure food remains accessible and affordable for all.
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