ALBANY -- As if they don't have enough on their plate, state lawmakers are pondering proposals to designate an official state vegetable.
A bill by Sen. David Carlucci of Rockland County supports the onion, a major crop in his Black Dirt district. Sweet Corn is the choice of Senator Michael Nozzolio, whose Finger Lakes district has many corn growers.
The state Farm Bureau is putting the issue to the people via Facebook.
Farm Bureau president Dean Norton suggests that cabbage might make a better choice because it's the biggest vegetable crop in New York, which ranks second in the nation in cabbage production.
He says pumpkins would also make a great choice, since New York ranks number one in the nation in that crop. However, the pumpkin can be technically considered a fruit because it grows on a vine and has seeds, like a tomato.
Anyone can participate in the poll at www.facebook.com/NYFarmBureau.
In case you were wondering, the apple is the state's official fruit. Click here for a list of other state icons and symbols, such as the official beverage and motto.
So which should be the official state vegetable? Vote in our poll below, and leave a comment to let us know what you think!
Information from the Associated Press was used in this story.
