BROOME CO., N.Y. — On March 5th, 2023, NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets announced the twelve organizations awarded funding to build resiliency in farmers markets across New York State. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County was among 11 organizations funded who will be working to build a stronger food supply chain and invest in infrastructure to support farmers markets, their vendors, and communities.
Over the next two years Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County will be working with the Markets of Broome, the four farmers markets located in Broome County: the Downtown Courtyard Market, the Broome County Regional Farmers Market, the Windsor Farmers Market and the Vestal Farmers Market to create a more cohesive and supported network of farmers markets in our community. The project is also slated to build a shared back-end infrastructure to streamline vendor communications and a shared vendor database. A consumer education campaign and website will also be created that will highlight farmers, vendors and makers at the farmers markets in the county, feature recipes using in-season products, and provide education on utilizing benefits such as FreshConnect, SNAP, and the Fruit & Veggie Prescription Program – a partnership with the Food & Health Network of South Central NY. There are currently close to 100 farmers, vendors and other small businesses that participate in the partner markets that will be positively impacted by this project.
The opportunity to support and position our local farmers markets in becoming more resilient to meet evolving consumer demands and highlight in-season products and the role that our farmers and markets play in the community will be of great value not only to the agricultural community, but also in creating a stronger local food supply chain.
Any questions regarding this project can be directed to Laura Biasillo at lw257@cornell.edu.
–Cornell Cooperative Extension Broome County