New Nourish NY Program provides more than 428,000 pounds of food to Food Bank of Central New York during COVID-19 pandemic<\/p>\n\n\n\n
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball announced Food Bank of Central New York has purchased 428,167 pounds of surplus food from New York farmers since the launch of Governor Andrew Cuomo\u2019s Nourish NY initiative in early May; this includes 312,274 pounds of nutritious dairy products, such as fluid milk, cheese, butter and cottage cheese; and 77,447 pounds of produce, such as apples, tomatoes, strawberries, onions, lettuce and potatoes as of the end of last week that have been provided to thousands of households in need in Central New York.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Nourish NY program has been very successful in connecting our farms and food producers with consumers at a time of extreme difficulty for many farmers and families,\u201d Ball said. \u201cOur partnership with Food Bank of Central New York has been crucial in making the link that has helped keep these important businesses going while keeping families fed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI want to thank Food Bank of Central New York for involving so many Central New York producers in the Nourish NY initiative and Upstate Niagara Cooperative for helping to put more New York milk in the homes of people in need.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nourish New York aims to quickly reroute New York\u2019s surplus agricultural products to populations who need them through the state\u2019s food banks. The state is providing $25 million to food banks and other emergency food providers so they can buy surplus milk, yogurt, cheese, vegetables, fruit and more from New York farmers who have lost markets as a result of school and restaurant closures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the last eight weeks, Food Bank of Central New York has held more than 30 distributions in Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego and St. Lawrence counties. The non-profit agency has also continued to supply food pantries and distributions from other organizations throughout this time. Visit Food Bank of Central New York\u2019s website<\/a> and click the box marked \u201cFind Food\u201d to find and register for distributions, locate food pantries and soup kitchens and to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Purchases have been made directly from New York produce farms and dairy manufacturers, including Hudson Egg Farm, Queensboro Farm Products, Green Empire Farms, Kriemhild Dairy, Smith Quality Eggs, and Hudsons\u2019 Dairy in Central New York. Products were also purchased from other upstate farms and producers including Marquart Farms, Williams Farms, Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Empire Cheese, Intergrow Farms, Lucki7 Livestock, Crowley Dairy Products, Great Lakes Cheese, Eden Valley Farm, Garelick Farms, Wheatfield Gardens Farm, New York Juice Co. and Chobani.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As part of the Nourish NY program and in addition to its drive-through food distribution events, Food Bank of Central New York has also implemented a voucher program in partnership with Upstate Farms to provide vouchers that people can redeem at stores for milk. So far, 16,000 vouchers have been distributed to residents in the Central NY, Mohawk Valley and North Country regions through the agency\u2019s 11-county emergency food network to individuals and households seeking food assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe appreciate the continued support and partnership of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the state Department of Agriculture and Markets as we continue to meet the increased need in our community,\u201d said Food Bank of Central New York Interim Executive Director Karen Belcher. \u201cFunding through Nourish New York helps us provide nutritious food from upstate growers and producers to children, families and seniors struggling with hunger.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur cooperative\u2019s farmer-owners are grateful to be able to participate in the Nourish NY program,\u201d said Chief Executive Officer of Upstate Niagara Cooperative Inc. Larry Webster. \u201cThe vouchers are specifically helpful, as they enable even those food banks that may not have ample refrigeration on site to provide nutrient-rich milk to families in need.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen there was a need for wholesome food, Nourish NY provided a good outlet for our eggs,\u201d said Lee Hudson, co-owner of Hudson Egg Farms. \u201cWe lost half of our business when food service businesses had to shut down. This has been a great opportunity to work with food banks in this period of need.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are glad we can participate in Nourish NY because people are hurting,\u201d said Queensboro Farm Products General Manager Steve Miller. \u201cIt helps to sell more dairy products, and the program is giving help to people who need it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Food Bank through Nourish NY to direct our product to people in need,\u201d said Doug Hudson, president and CEO of Hudsons\u2019 Dairy, said. \u201cIt’s kept our volume up and allowed us to keep all of our employees. Nourish NY has been a great way to promote New York dairy products. Once this crisis subsides, we hope our community will continue to support local dairies and grocery stores.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Nourish NY program is administered by the state Department of Agriculture and Markets and the New York State Department of Health. The initiative is being led by a special task force created by Cuomo, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n