Provided photo: Peggy Burgess holds a lunch tray that includes cheese wedges from Yancey’s Fancy in Corfu.
MIDDLEPORT – Students, parents, families, and members of the Royalton-Hartland community are enjoying over 400 pounds of Yancey’s Fancy famous cheese wedges.
This delicious donation was made possible by a partnership with the “SAY CHEESE” philanthropic effort and the Royalton-Hartland FFA Chapter. SAY CHEESE is a new effort designed to provide nutritious extended shelf life dairy products to people in need, and at the same time, support and promote the dairy industry.
Thanks to the donations of Western New York agriculturists, over 775 Yancey’s Fancy cheese wedges have been shared with the Royalton-Hartland community.
There were 550 cheese wedges provided to Roy-Hart students and families through the school’s weekly bagged meal pick-ups. Additionally, the FFA Chapter donated over 100 wedges to both the Middleport and Gasport food pantries.
The effort was coordinated by the Royalton-Hartland FFA Chapter, under the direction of Matthew Sweeney, Roy-Hart Agriculture Teacher/FFA Advisor; Julie Feurch, Royalton-Hartland Food Service Director; and Feurch’s food service team.
During these challenging times, Sweeney urges the public to continue to support our farmers by purchasing locally sourced food products.
The Royalton-Hartland FFA Chapter strives to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. FFA is an intra-curricular activity open to all Royalton-Hartland students grades 5-12.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 June 2020 at 3:56 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Natalie Mrzywka, a 4-H administrative assistant at the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, carries a 20-pound box of produce to a vehicle this afternoon at the 4-H Fairgrounds.
Extension staff and volunteers were at the site early this morning for the delivery of 1,200 boxes. Cars started to line up by 8:30 for a distribution that was scheduled to start at 10.
By 1 o’clock, about 750 boxes had been given away for free to local residents. Extension staff expect there will be boxes later this afternoon until about 6 p.m.
Gabrielle Lanich, an education nutrition coordinator for the Extension, carries a box in 90-degree heat this afternoon. She works for the Extension in Orleans, Erie, Genesee and Wyoming counties.
The Extension is hosting the distribution of USDA farmers-to-families produce boxes that include potatoes (1-5 pounds), oranges (1-4 pounds), apples (1-3 pounds), onions (1-3 pounds), green vegetables (1-3 pounds of broccoli, cabbage, green pepper, etc.), and carrots (1-2 pounds). Some of the produce items come from Orleans County farms.
The Extension hosted the first distribution on May 29 and will have another one in two weeks on June 24, beginning at 10 a.m.
James Desiderio Inc. of Buffalo is the distributor of the produce.
Kim Hazel, administrative assistant in the agricultural program at the Extension, brings a box to an RTS Orleans bus.
Press Release, U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $1,448,839 in federal funding for agricultural research and development in rural New York.
The funding is provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), and will be used to address food insecurity and support economic development in rural agriculture. Specifically, this research will investigate solutions to increase food security through improved access to food banks, federal assistance, and engineered corn production.
“New York’s farmers and the New York agricultural industry is the lifeblood of the state’s economy and our nation’s food supply,” said Senator Schumer. “This federal funding is an investment into our rural agriculture, helping New York State address food insecurity, especially in a time of crisis. I am proud to secure federal support, and I will not rest until New York farmers have the resources they need to help Americans get food on the table.”
“Rural communities are at the heart of New York and this funding will strengthen rural economies by providing new opportunities for our farmers and producers,” said Senator Gillibrand, member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. “This critical research will strengthen the fight against food insecurity in Upstate New York and will make federal assistance widely available to all families. I will always fight for the resources our communities need to thrive.”
Cornell University received $498,839 to study the causes of rural food insecurity and identify solutions to help eligible families enroll in necessary federal assistance programs, such as SNAP.
The Boyce Thompson Institute and the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Association, Inc. have each been awarded $475,000 to engineer corn with greater seed production and better chilling-tolerance to allow New York farmers to plant earlier for the best prices of the season. Sweet corn is worth about $40 million to $60 million annually to New York.
As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Gillibrand has worked to protect farmers and reinforce the nation’s food supply, especially throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Last month, Senator Gillibrand introduced the Food Bank Access to Farm Fresh Produce Act, which would address disruptions in the food supply chain caused by the coronavirus pandemic and directly connect farms to food banks by providing $8 billion in block grants to food banks in the top vegetable and fruit producing states.
Photo by Tom Rivers: A corn field behind the Albion school district on Clarendon Road is off to a good start this growing season. It is shown last evening near the school’s Land Lab.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 June 2020 at 1:23 pm
This spring has offered much better weather conditions for farmers to get their crops planted, compared to 2019, when frequent rain and waterlogged fields resulted in 23,170 acres of corn and soybeans not being planted in Orleans County.
Farmers in Orleans County typically plant about 125,000 acres of those crops each year.
There were about 90,000 acres that went unplanted in Orleans, Genesee, Niagara and Monroe counties last year.
The weather the next few days includes partly sunny and a high near 76 today, followed by sunny and high near 84 on Thursday, and a chance of showers on Friday with a high near 84. Saturday is forecast to be partly sunny with a high near 76.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 June 2020 at 11:53 am
Provided photo
The new Niagara-Orleans dairy princess was crowned on Sunday. Sadie Klumpp of Newfane, left, will serve as an ambassador for the dairy industry. Hayley Roehling of Akron, right, is the dairy princess alternate.
Both Sadie and Hayley are sophomores in college and attend Morrisville State College for Agricultural Science. They both have shown dairy cattle in 4-H for many years. They are eager to promote dairy and share knowledge with the public.
Dairy princesses attend events and meetings to promote dairy products and to talk about the dairy industry, including the nutritional value of milk.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 May 2020 at 12:36 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Boxes of produce are stacked on pallets at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds this morning as part of a distribution from the USDA farmers-to-families produce initiative.
Their were cars lined up on Wood Road by 7 this morning for the distribution that was scheduled to start at 10.
By 11 a.m., about 800 boxes had been picked up out of the 1,200. Each box weighs about 20 pounds.
John Gabalski carries a box to one of the vehicles. He volunteered to help with the distribution.
Jose Iniquez, a member of the board of directors for the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, loads a box into a truck of a car. It started raining hard at about 10:30. Iniguez is vice president of Lamont Fruit Farms in Waterport.
Aeddon Cayea of Medina also volunteered during the distribution.
The USDA farmers-to-families produce boxes include potatoes (1-5 pounds), oranges (1-4 pounds), apples (1-3 pounds), onions (1-3 pounds), green vegetables (1-3 pounds of broccoli, cabbage, green pepper, etc.), and carrots (1-2 pounds). The cabbage, apples and onions all came from Orleans County farms.
James Desiderio Inc. of Buffalo served as the distributor of the produce.
Robert Batt, CCE executive director, urged people to call the office today at 798-4265 to see if boxes are left. Given how fast the boxes were going at the beginning of the distribution, he didn’t expect they would last too long during the day.
Some of the boxes went to Community Action’s food pantry, Calvary Tabernacle’s food pantry in Medina and some to the Arc of Genesee Orleans.
Photo by Tom Rivers: An apple orchard on Riches Corners Road in Albion is in bloom in this photo taken Saturday from Mount Albion Cemetery.
Press Release, Orleans County Department of Planning and Development
ALBION — Orleans County is accepting enrollment of additional parcels in certified agricultural districts during the month of June, pursuant to New York State Agricultural and Markets Law.
This annual 30-day window is for inclusion of property which is predominantly viable agricultural land. During this time period, land may only be added and not removed from County Agricultural District No. 1, which in 2016 became the sole agricultural district in the county as a result of a consolidation process.
This opportunity supplements, but does not replace, enrollment in an existing agricultural district during the eight-year, formal review process. It allows a once-a-year opportunity for a property owner to request that the County Legislature add parcel(s) to Orleans County Consolidated Agricultural District No. 1 (District C-1).
The next eight-year anniversary review — the only time parcels can be both added and removed — will not occur until 2024. Presently, there are over 116,700 acres in County Agricultural District No. 1.
Requests for inclusion in agricultural district will be reviewed, in order, by the Orleans County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board, the Orleans County Legislature, and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.
To enroll, owners must complete and sign and a “Letter of Intent for Annual Enrollment” form. Enrollment forms are available from the Orleans County Department of Planning and Development. (Click here for more information.)
Completed and signed forms should be sent by June 30th to:
Thomas Lampo, Planner
Orleans County Department of Planning and Development
14016 Route 31 West
Albion, NY 14411-9382
Please note that requesting enrollment during this 30-day time period is not a guarantee that an owner’s property will be added to Agricultural District No. 1. Moreover, it will not automatically qualify land for a reduced agricultural property tax assessment. For information on obtaining a reduced agricultural property tax assessment, please contact the local town assessor.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 May 2020 at 11:12 am
Photos courtesy of Adam Krenning
KNOWLESVILLE – A bee pollinates a flower in an apple orchard this morning on Howlett Road in Knowlesville.
The weather has been perfect for pollination, an important week or so where bees spread pollen in orchards. Pollination is critical for apples and other fruit to grow.
Farmers expect some damage in the crop due to the cold weather in early May. But early indicators have apple growers optimistic there will be a good crop.
New York has about 50,000 acres of apple orchards and is the second-leading apple producing state in the country, behind only Washington. New York apple growers produce about 30 million bushels of apples a year.
Orleans is among the top apple producers in New York, trailing only Wayne County and Ulster County.
New York Farm Bureau is launching a new system to connect farms in need of labor during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During this time of uncertainty, farms may temporarily be down some employees who may have to quarantine due to the virus or to take care of a sick family member. This could potentially create issues on the farm, especially when livestock need to be cared for or during a critical time of the growing season.
In turn, there is now an online database for farmers to turn to and for people who may be looking for additional, temporary agricultural work, perhaps someone who is in need of employment, may be retired from farm labor, or would like to add additional hours.
Anyone who is interested and willing to work on a farm is encouraged to submit their information to the new database to potentially be matched up with a farm in need in their area. Click here to view the database.
New York Farm Bureau hopes this will serve as a resource for its members to have needed staff on hand throughout this pandemic while also providing an opportunity for job seekers. It will be up to the individual farm to appropriately screen and hire any potential employees.
In addition, New York Farm Bureau is still making its COVID-19 resource page on its website, www.nyfb.org, open to all farms, regardless of membership to provide the latest information and guidance to all of agriculture in these difficult times.
New York Farm Bureau is encouraging all farms to continue to take this pandemic seriously, follow all of the recommended safety guidance and protocols, and have a plan in place to mitigate the spread, both in the workplace and in farmworker housing should it be provided. Protecting farmworkers and fellow family members is a priority for the agricultural community.
Photos by Tom Rivers: An apple bud at Kast Farms in Albion is out of the tight cluster stage and vulnerable to the cold temperatures. Local apple growers say the freezing temperatures are damaging some of the apple buds. They are optimistic they can still have a good crop.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 May 2020 at 8:19 pm
Brett Kast, co-owner of Kast Farms and the orchard manager, checks the apple buds for damage at an orchard on Lattin Road in Gaines.
ALBION – The freezing temperatures is causing high anxiety for local fruit growers who fear the cold will hurt their apples, blueberries and cherries.
Those fruit crops are in the bud and blossom stage, a vulnerable time to be exposed to prolonged cold.
Farmers already are seeing bud damage from the night-time freeze about a week ago. Brett Kast, co-owner of Kast Farms in Albion, showed some of that damage today. He cut into buds and could see black spots from the cold.
He also sees lots of buds that haven’t been hurt from the cold. If there is damage from the freeze last night and today it can take a few days for it to show. Kast also said farmers are worried about the cold weather forecast Monday night.
“We’ve had three events already so far,” Kast said about the frequent freezes in late April and May. “It stresses the trees.”
Most of the apple tree buds are still in the tight-cluster stage and haven’t started to blossom. That means they are more hearty and Kast expects they will withstand the cold and there will still be a good crop among the farm’s 450 acres of apples.
Orleans County is the third-leading apple-growing county in New York, behind Wayne and Ulster counties. New York state grows about 30 million bushels of apples annually, second in the country behind only Washington State.
Brett Kast sees some damage in these buds, especially the center king blossom. The black spot shows damage likely caused by the overnight freeze about a week ago. It usually takes a few days for damage to show from cold temperatures.
There will be some damage locally to the fruit crop but it could be made up for as part of the normal thinning of apples later in the season.
Mike Zingler of Zingler Farms in Kendall is still opmtistic. The temepratures have stayed above 28-29 degrees, where apples in the budding stage can see more widespread damage.
“I think there is potential for a full crop,” he said today.
The trees tend to produce “way too many buds” so some damage isn’t disastrous.
Zingler has nearly 400 acres of apples in Kendall, Hilton and Holley. He is fairly close to the lake, which tends to be a buffer from a deep freeze in the spring.
Photos courtesy of Eric Brown: Orchard Dale Fruit Company sprayed its berries. The farm used a freeze-and-thaw cycle to force the berries to give off energy, which helped them stay warm on a cold day.
Normally the trees would be very close to bloom stage, but the chilly April and May have slowed that down. The trees seemed ahead of normal schedule because it was warmer in March.
That isn’t good for fruit growers to have a warm March because the trees can start the budding and blossoming process early, making them very vulnerable if there is a frost later in the spring.
“It was set to be dangerously early,” Zingler said. “But then with the temperatures in the 40s, they just sat there. They’re languishing right now.”
Once the weather warms up, Zingler expects the trees will soon be in blossom stage for the important pollination. Farmers will be able to make a better assessment if their crop in June after pollination.
“In normal weather we would be five days from blooming,” Zingler said. “But April and March have flipflopped the last couple years. We just need some heat to move them along.”
Zingler said the trees still have many good buds, despite the cold weather. But he said the cold has killed some buds, and the surviving buds may result in misshapen apples and others with blemishes that don’t meet the standards for the fresh market. They might instead go for applesauce, juice or may not be picked at all.
“There is definitely damage,” Zingler said. “There is potential for more damage. We have to get through bloom to see what kind of crop we have.”
While the apples are hearty and can withstand a lot of the cold, other fruits are more susceptible to freeze, such as cherries and peaches.
Eric Brown, co-owner of Orchard Dale Fruit Company, said the multiple days of cold is unusual and will result in damage.
Orchard Dale worked all night last night to protect its blueberries, which are sensitive to frost. It make seem counterintuitive, but Orchard Dale sprayed the blueberries with water so they would get a coating of ice. That ice then thawed, and the farm sprayed on more water. Brown said the freeze and thaw makes the blueberries use energy, which produces heat. That actually helps the blueberries fight off the cold.
“The last six weeks it has been cold,” Brown said. “In March we felt like spring was right around the corner, but this has just put the brakes on it.”
The farm used a sprayer to water the blueberry plants. The plants were coated with ice which actually provides some protection for the crops. As the ice freezes, it gives off heat to keep the buds from dropping below 32 and freezing.
Brown said a degree or two could make a huge difference in protecting the buds and blossoms.
That’s why he expects to utilize some old technology Monday night during the frost. He has pulled out the farm’s smudge pots, which function as an orchard heater. He thinks the apples and blueberries will be OK, but there will be some damage to the crop.
“We still have a couple cold nights yet to get through,” Brown said. “We’re going to have to keep on them.”
Provided photo: These two farmworkers hold masks that were donated by the National Center for Farmworker Health.
ALBION – Oak Orchard Health is thankful to be able to deliver 300 masks to local agricultural workers. The masks were donated from the National Center for Farmworker Health.
This effort was coordinated by Karen Watt, vice chairwoman of the board of directors for Oak Orchard. The delivery of the masks is being handled by Oak Orchard’s patient engagement staff.
So far Oak Orchard has delivered masks to Brightly Farms in Hamlin, Kast Farms in Albion and Zingler Farms in Kendall. Oak Orchard will deliver more masks to other local farms.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, introduced legislation to address disruptions in the food supply chain caused by the coronavirus pandemic and directly connect farms to food banks.
As restaurants, hotels, schools, and other food service entities cease operations to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, reports have emerged that millions of pounds of produce have been left to rot. Meanwhile, food banks across the country are facing unprecedented demand, as millions of newly unemployed Americans now face food insecurity. The Food Bank Access to Farm Fresh Produce Act would provide needed support to food banks as they continue to serve the surge of jobless Americans, while also supporting struggling farmers who lack buyers for their produce.
“Like many Americans dealing with the economic fallout from the COVID-19 outbreak, farmers in New York and across the country are struggling to make ends meet,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Food Bank Access to Farm Fresh Produce Act will not only provide them with a new chain of potential buyers, but it will put money directly in their pockets by cutting out middlemen and will deliver fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables to millions of Americans facing food insecurity. This important bill will stimulate the farm economy and strengthen the health of Americans. I’m proud to introduce this legislation and will fight for its inclusion in the next relief package.”
More than 30 million Americans are currently jobless due to the coronavirus pandemic and many are struggling to put food on the table. According to Feeding America, a leading hunger relief organization, demand at food banks has surged by 70 percent. Today, with food banks facing mile-long lines, the need for resources to feed hungry Americans is greater than ever. The Food Bank Access to Farm Fresh Produce Act would meet this demand by giving food banks the power to purchase excess specialty crops — including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and dried fruits, which are easily stored and processed by food banks — directly from farmers.
Gillibrand’s proposed Food Bank Access to Farm Fresh Produce Act would provide $8 billion in block grants to food banks in the top vegetable and fruit producing states. Food banks will be able to use the funds to purchase fresh produce directly from farmers in New York, which is the 15th largest vegetable and fruit producing state, and other states. They will also be able to use the funding to pay for distribution, processing, and additional staff needed to meet increased demand.
“We’re grateful to Senator Gillibrand for her tireless advocacy to ensure that our friends and neighbors in need have food on the table,” said Karen Belcher, interim executive director of Food Bank of Central New York.
EAST ELMHURST — State Senator Jessica Ramos (D-Queens) — in partnership with the Northeast Dairy Producers Association — announced on Friday that farms and co-ops across upstate New York are donating more than 34,000 pounds of fresh milk, beef and produce for hundreds of hungry New York City families in need.
“In addition to the unspeakable loss of life caused by the coronavirus pandemic, two additional devastating tragedies are unfolding during this crisis — a spike in hunger as the economic pain takes its toll, and the breakdown of our food supply chain.” said Senator Jessica Ramos. “We cannot have hungry families in New York City, and farmers upstate dumping their product because they cannot sell it. Together with our farmer partners, we created our own network, and we will convert our district office into a food distribution hub to provide our neighbors with fresh produce and meals.”
Senator Ramos partnered with several farms and associations — including Torrey Farms in Elba, Deer Run Farms, Crist Farms, Kelder Farms, La Casa De Leche Farm, Northeast Dairy Producers Association, Dairy Farmers of America, New York State Growers and the New York State and Long Island Farm Bureaus — to pick up produce and dairy, and deliver them to New York City. The following donations were made possible by a partnership between Senator Jessica Ramos and a number of New York State farms:
300 pounds of beef donated by La Casa De Leche Farm (Livingston County) and the Northeast Dairy Producers Association Board of Directors.
1,700 gallons of milk donated by Dairy Farmers of America.
20,000 apples donated by Farm Fresh First, Inc., which markets NY apples from over 100 apple growers throughout the state.
14,000 pounds of onions, 8,000 pounds of potatoes and 4,000 pounds of cabbage donated by Torrey Farms, Inc. (Genesee County) and the New York State Vegetable Growers Association.
2,880 pounds of blueberry and vanilla parfait yogurt donated by Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc.
575 packs of Prang Crayons made with soybean oil for children to enjoy, donated by the New York Corn & Soybean Growers Association.
On Wednesday, April 29, a truck packed with vegetables and yogurt left Western New York, stopped to pick up more donations from farms in Central New York, and arrived in Albany in the evening. The truck loaded 1,700 gallons of milk from Dean Foods in Rensselaer County Wednesday evening and arrived in Queens on Thursday, April 30.
Northeast Dairy Producers Association Vice Chair and Owner of La Casa De Leche Dairy Farm (Livingston County) Keith Kimball said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted us all – our families, our businesses and the greater New York community. By pooling resources and working together to adapt to unprecedented market disruption, we’re able to get milk, beef and produce in the hands of those in need. I’m proud to partner with farmers, co-ops and processors across the state to make this donation a reality, and thankful to Senator Ramos for hosting the event for families in Queens.”
Maureen Torrey, co-owner of Torrey Farms, Inc. (Genesee County) said, “Thanks to the passionate employees on our family farm and our dedicated truck drivers, we’re able to donate 26,000 pounds of fresh vegetables to families in need, including onions that Senator Ramos helped us plant last year. This public health crisis has changed life as we know it, but what we’ve learned is that no matter where you live – Buffalo, Plattsburgh, New York City and everywhere in between – we’re all New Yorkers and together we are New York Tough.”
State looking to purchase surplus products for food banks
ALBANY – The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, in coordination with its partners, is reaching out to New York producers that have surplus agricultural products as a result of COVID-19-related supply chain disruptions.
The Department is working to connect affected farmers to potential new purchasing opportunities through various institutions, such as food banks, retailers and more.
Governor Cuomo has made a commitment to using local foods to support the emergency food system. Cuomo on Monday announced a $25 million “Nourish New York” initiative where the state will buy farm products and direct that food to food banks that are seeing increased demand during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The governor also welcomed philanthropists to step forward and buy produce and milk from upstate farmers that could be given to people through food banks.
“We’re seeing a tremendous demand in food banks,” Cuomo said on Monday. “The numbers are very, very high, and we need to address it.”
Ag & Markets is looking to connect producers to food banks and those in need. Farmers and agricultural producers with surplus product are asked to contact Ag & Markets and give their name, contact information, and the type of product(s) in surplus.
Farmers should send that information to Lindsey McMahon at lindsey.mcmahon@agriculture.ny.gov. Ag & Markets wants the information by Monday, May 4.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 April 2020 at 6:58 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Cows are pictured at the Van Lieshout farm in Barre in this photo from October.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a $25 million “Nourish New York” initiative today where the state will buy farm products and direct that food to food banks that are seeing increased demand during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The governor also welcomed philanthropists to step forward and buy produce and milk from upstate farmers that could be given to people through food banks.
“We’re seeing a tremendous demand in food banks,” Cuomo said during a news conference today. “The numbers are very, very high, and we need to address it.”
The state is committing $25 million in emergency funding to buy the produce and milk for the food banks.
“I’m also asking philanthropies to help,” Cuomo said. “Many philanthropies said they wanted to help and step up.”
The governor said supporting the food banks is a great way to support people in crisis.
Despite the demand for food many of the markets are disrupted, and some farm cooperatives are dumping food because the market can’t consume it, Cuomo said.
“This is just total waste to me,” the governor said. “We have people downstate who need food. We have farmers upstate who can’t sell their product. We have to put those two things together. It’s just common sense.”
The state will connect companies with dairies to buy the excess milk, yogurt, cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, and then give that to the food banks that are downstate, Cuomo said.
The governor also announced the launch of the Nourish New York Initiative to purchase food and products from Upstate farms and direct it to food banks across the state. The state will also be partnering with the state’s dairy producers – Chobani, Dairy Farmers of America, Upstate Niagara, Cabot Cheese and others – to process excess milk into products like yogurt, cheese, sour cream and cream cheese, that will be distributed to food banks and those in need.
The Nourish New York Initiative will be led by:
Kelly Cummings, Director of State Operations and Infrastructure
Richard Ball, Commissioner of Agriculture
Rossana Rosado, Secretary of State
Karim Camara, Executive Director of the Office of Faith-Based Community Development Services
Fran Barrett, Director of Non-Profits
Mike Hein, Commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
The governor’s announcement was well received by the New York Farm Bureau.
“Governor Cuomo provided some much-needed good news today for the state’s farmers and our partners looking to feed fellow New Yorkers in need,” said Farm Bureau President David Fisher. “Our organization has been advocating for food purchase programs at the state and national levels to address the surging demand for food assistance as well as to help alleviate oversupply issues that are burdening our farms because of the loss of markets in the food service industry.”
Fisher said the agriculture industry in New York needs additional assistance.
“More needs to be done to support all New Yorkers,” Fisher said. “No farmer wants to dispose of the food they produce, but few farms can process and package their raw commodities, like milk, into products that can be purchased or donated to those in need.”
The Northeast Dairy Producers Association Inc. also praised the announcement from the governor in this tweet.
