(WNY News Now) By effectively delivering more than 200,000 pounds of locally grown, fresh produce to underprivileged regions, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Grow Chautauqua initiative has empowered local farmers and families.
New York’s Jamestown As a component of the New York Food for New York Families program, which is supported by the USDA and the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County is pleased to report a successful pilot season for its Grow Chautauqua initiative.
The program’s objectives are to increase food access for underprivileged, rural, and isolated populations, build stronger relationships within the food distribution industry, and assist local and historically underprivileged farmers and producers.
For distribution throughout Chautauqua County, CCE acquired goods from roughly 23 farms, regional food companies, producers, and wholesale distributors during the season, which began in June and ended on November 2. The local food system received investments totaling more than $250,000.
Communities in Ripley, Jamestown, Fredonia, Falconer, Frewsburg, Lakewood, Mayville, Sinclairville, Clymer, Brocton, and Dunkirk received over 200,000 pounds of locally grown fruits and vegetables, meat products, and value-added products like baked goods, jams, honey, and maple syrup. All participants received free and unrestricted distribution of all products. The number of people and families serviced was approximated at 1,000.
According to Community Food System Educator Linnea Haskin, “without the commitment of our local agriculture community, small businesses, and enthusiastic volunteers and community organizations, we could not have completed this amazing community investment.”
An average of 500 food boxes were produced each week by main partner Brigiotta’s Farmland Produce & Garden Center and sent to different partners who engaged with the community directly.
The local Salvation Army, St. Susan’s Center, Friendship Baptist Church of Dunkirk, the Ripley Public Library, Chautauqua County Rural Ministries, a food pantry and soup kitchen in Dunkirk, and the Jamestown Mobile Market, which aimed to expand the city’s local food system, were among the other partners.
Additionally, CCE collaborated with the county Office for Aging Services (OFAS) to support their Local Roots program, which, for a total of 12 weeks, provides 450 senior citizens with weekly fresh produce from the organic farm Abers Acres. In the end, lowering the obstacles to fresh produce consumption helps our senior citizens get the required daily intake of fruits and vegetables. According to Carey Skelton, dietitian and OFAS Nutrition and Wellness Coordinator, this lowers the risk of malnutrition overall, helps prevent or manage chronic disease processes, and enables our older persons to age well in their homes.
The selection of partners was based on their existing reputation in the community, their background in food access initiatives, and their outreach to the most vulnerable populations, such as low-income families, people of color, the homeless, and senior citizens.
CCE expresses sincere gratitude to the farmers who planted, produced, and donated goods for the initiative: Abers Acres (Kennedy); Amanda Byler (Frewsburg); Bit-O-Breeze Farm (Jamestown); Carli Cook (Stockton); Chautauqua County Produce Auction; Ellicottville Greens (Olean); Eden Valley Creamery (South Dayton); Degolier s Maple (Forestville); Roberto Fred Farms (Dunkirk); Richard Feinen Farms (Dunkirk); Green Heron Farm (Sherman); Enjoyable Acres (Fredonia); Lizzie Byler (Frewsburg); Hidden Valley Produce (Fredonia); JM Joy Farms (Fredonia); Miller s Apples (Fredonia); Maggitti Farms (Fredonia); Stand Fast Grass Fed Beef (Dunkirk); Yerico Farms (Dunkirk); Gage Farms (Silver Creek); Roo Haven Farm (Forestville) and Sunshine Honey (Sherman).
The Grow Chautauqua program’s 2025 season will start in March and end in August of that year. In the spring, the precise distribution places and dates will be disclosed, so community members are urged to stay tuned.
Residents of Chautauqua County are also urged to support local farmers and producers by shopping locally, even during the off-season. Chautauqua Grown, a directory to all things local foods, includes further details about nearby farms and agricultural enterprises, including farmers markets, restaurants that buy locally produced food, and farms that sell directly to consumers. Chautauqua Grown is available on Facebook and at: https://chautauqua.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua-grown.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua) offers a variety of programs, including the Grow Chautauqua Program. Operating under an administration and organizational structure authorized by Cornell University as an agent for the State of New York, CCE-Chautauqua is a subordinate government entity with an educational mission. According to Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3), it is exempt from taxes. The organization is a member of the nationwide cooperative extension system, which is a partnership between the federal, state, and local governments for education. The system in this state is administered by Cornell, a land grant institution in New York. Under the general supervision of Cornell, each Cornell Cooperative Extension association is a separate employer under the direction of an elected Board of Directors. Every association strives to fulfill state and national objectives in addition to the demands of the counties in which they are situated. Call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua for additional information. Equal employment and program opportunities are offered by Cornell University Cooperative Extension.
(Included are two photos.)