FOODLINK SUPPORTS FARMS & FAMILIES IN LIVINGSTON & WYOMING COUNTIES 

 

The Nourish NY Program has been successful in providing support for the state’s agriculture industry
and families facing financial challenges because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Foodlink has purchased 697,746 pounds of surplus food from farmers since the launch of the Nourish
New York initiative in early May, according to State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball,

This includes 67,807 pounds of milk and 629,939 pounds of fruit and produce that have been provided to thousands of households in need in Foodlink’s ten-county Finger Lakes region, which includes Livingston and Wyoming counties.

Foodlink has also implemented a voucher program in partnership with Upstate Farms to provide vouchers that people can redeem at stores for milk. So far, 54,000 vouchers have been purchased for distribution to residents in the agency’s emergency food network.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has presented financial challenges for people across the state, leaving many struggling to provide nutritious food for their families,” Senator Gallivan said.  “Our farmers are also having a hard time selling perishable products because so many schools and restaurants have been forced to close.  I am pleased to see the Nourish NY program work with
organizations such as Foodlink to help connect the agriculture industry with families in need.”

The Nourish NY initiative works to connect New York’s surplus agricultural products to the populations who need them through the state’s 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 because of COVID-19.

In recent weeks, Foodlink has held more than 100 distributions in Allegany, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates counties. The non-profit agency has also continued to supply food pantries and distributions from other organizations throughout this time.

The Nourish NY program is administered by the State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the New York State Department of Health.