A unique panel of Hudson Valley farmers and Regional Food Bank CEO Tom Nardacci and moderated by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball, explored the essential partnership between the agricultural sector and the charitable food system during a Fresh View discussion.
Hosted by the Regional Food Bank Hudson Valley at its Orange County Distribution Center in Montgomery, the panel emphasized how these partnerships are creating innovative ways to support New York farmers while at the same time expanding access to nutritious foods and combating food insecurity in the region.
Joining Nardacci on the panel was Mira Miller, owner and operator of Row By Row family farm in Ulster County, Jeff Crist, owner and operator of Crist Brothers Orchards, a multi-generational apple farm in Orange County and Gibson Durnford, Executive Director of Tenmile Farm Foundation in Dutchess County.
Commissioner Ball emphasized that the Department is proud of the collaborative partnerships it has with the Regional Food Bank, and all the emergency food providers across the State.
“Thanks to our Council on Hunger and Food Policy, these relationships were firmly in place when the pandemic hit and we were able to quickly pull together our Nourish NY program, which benefits both our families in need and our farmers looking for new markets for their products,” said Commissioner Ball. “I’m grateful to the Regional Food Bank for bringing us all together for this important panel discussion, to talk about our successes but also to talk about what the needs are going forward. The Food Bank does tremendous work for the communities they serve, and we appreciate their commitment and dedication to our shared mission to increase food access and support New York farmers.”
Since opening the Hudson Valley Distribution Center in Montgomery, the Regional Food Bank has worked to expand its relationship with the agricultural community in the Hudson Valley. In launching the Micro Purchasing Program, the Food Bank partners with small farmers to purchase fresh produce and have it distributed to area pantries to increase the quantity of fresh produce they’re able to distribute. The Regional Food Bank is also a participant in the State’s Nourish New York program, which provides food banks and other emergency food providers with funding to purchase food, such as produce, dairy, meat, eggs, and more, from local farmers.
“The partnership that connects the food grown by the farmers in the Hudson Valley and Catskills to food banks helps ensure that we provide fresh local produce to our pantries and community partners, said Nardacci. “Agriculture is a vital part of the local economy, and it is essential that we recognize and address the challenges our farmers face. This collaboration will expand the access to nutritious food.”
New York’s agricultural industry has experienced a 2400% percent growth rate over the last ten years, and generates $1.7 billion dollars in total economic impact annually. It ranks in the top ten in the country in the production of well over 30 different commodities: First nationally in the production of cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, yogurt, and beets; second in maple syrup, apples, cabbage, and snap beans; third in grapes and squash; fourth in floriculture and fifth in milk production, total cheese production, green peas, and squash.
“I’m inspired by the work that the Regional Food Bank is doing to help bridge the gap between farms like mine and communities in need,” said Miller. “The consideration for the health and well-being of the farm partners is meaningful and will create lasting and productive relationships.”
Durnford, whose Tenmile Farm Foundation grows food specifically for donation to emergency food providers in our region, said policies and programs that strengthen partnerships between farmers and food providers help ensure families in need consistently receive fresh, nutritious food while supporting local agriculture. “The Regional Food Bank has been a leader in advancing these efforts, and Tenmile is proud to support their work to ensure equitable access to fresh, locally grown food across our region.”
More than 355,000 people, 12.2% of the population in the Regional Food Bank’s 23-county service area, are food insecure, meaning that they don’t always know where they will find their next meal. A staggering 15.4% of children in the region experience food insecurity. The data shows that food insecurity continues to grow with an additional 23,210 individuals in the Regional Food Bank’s service area.
