BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Are you a farmer, or grower, located in the region surrounding Broome, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben or Tompkins counties? Do you have an interest in learning more about how to access the funding that the Food Bank of the Southern Tier has allocated for purchasing from New York State farms through the Nourish NY program? In 2022 they spent over $1.6 million with NYS farms! Did you know that all food banks and local food recovery agencies, such as CHOW, also get an allocation of these funds to spend locally with farms?
While the majority of the Nourish NY funds (51%) must be spent on NYS dairy products, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier and CHOW are very interested in purchasing other types of farm products, including but not limited to: ground beef, chicken breasts, lamb and goat, various types of produce – including culturally appropriate varieties, etc… There is no set quantities for them to purchase from a local farm and your farm does NOT need to be GAPs certified for them to purchase from you. Â
To find out more about how your farm can join this program for FREE as an approved vendor, and learn more about their procurement process, the types of products they are looking to source in 2023, and speak with the procurement staff of both the Food Bank of the Southern Tier and CHOW, please plan to join us for an informational session and meet and greet hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, and CHOW on Thursday February 23rd from 10am-noon at the Agricultural Development Center on the CCE Broome campus, located at 840 Upper Front St, Binghamton, NY. Â
Registration is requested to ensure enough handouts and seating will be available. Please email Laura Biasillo at lw257@cornell.edu to reserve your spot. Â
–Cornell Cooperative Extension Broome County