The New York State Senate debated and passed a bill to make yogurt the official state snack. Here's the text of the bill:
The campaign to make yogurt the state snack was launched by fourth grade students from Byron-Bergen Elementary School. Here's one of their videos:
View this video on YouTube
The bill was introduced by State Sen. Michael H. Ranzenhofer with a note that New York is the No. 1 processor of yogurt in the United States.
The New York State Senate voted 52-8 Tuesday to make yogurt the official state snack. Here are the debate highlights:
"It's a good source of protein," - NY state senator during debate going right now on Senate floor to make yogurt official state snack.
"Did we ask if we could have other foods as the state snack or was yogurt the only option," - serious NY senate debate.
"Is there any clarification if it is low-fat," NY state senate yogurt debate.
"One of my possibly concerns with supporting yogurt is the issue of lactose intolerance…" - NY state senate debate.
This yogurt debate is getting heated.
"First let me talk about the state muffin…the apple muffin…"
"Are concerned we are offending other foods that are produced and popular in the state of New York," - NY State senator
"If you're going to pick a state snack. I think you should go through a process of having the state way in," - NY senator Buzz Killington
"I think at some point we need to show leadership," - NY state senator in response to criticism of picking yogurt as official state snack.
"I don't think I can vote to make yogurt the official state snack..I don't think we should rush to judgement on yogurt tonight."
Senator: "What are we defining as snack, Mr. Senator?" Senator Response: "You have breakfast, lunch dinner, and then you have snacks."
"What if I wake in the morning and I have a cup of yogurt for breakfast. I guess that would not be considered as a snack."
"That is a snack, time doesn't matter. You are eating the state snack of yogurt at breakfast."
They are now debating the difference between yogurt and greek yogurt.
Debate: "Did you consider the potato as the official state snack𠉭id you consider raisin." "No." "Did the sponsor consider pretzel." "Never"
"If the pretzel was dipped in yogurt? Could be considered the state snack?" "The yogurt would be considered the snack. Not the pretzel."
State Senator from Bronx:"I do think we should have a state conversation (on yogurt)….what about kale chips?"
Albany state senator: "Seriously, will manufacturers of yogurt be able to list yogurt as the official state snack?"
"What will be the cost if yogurt is designated as the official state snack in reprinting brochures?" "I don't understand your question."
State senator from Bronx: "It's almost 7pm and we're here discussing yogurt."
Debate on yogurt is closed.
So far two ayes for yogurt.
Ayes 52 nayes 8 YOGURT PASSES AS THE OFFICIAL STATE SNACK