New York State Agriculture Commissioner Announces $700000 Available to Support New York’s Farmers’ Markets

Ny State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball right now introduced that $700,000 Is out tright here to Ny’s farmers’ markets by way of the Farmers’ Market Resiliency Grant Program. Grant funding will assist farmers strengthen their markets and make native meals extra entryible to consumers by establishing on-line gross sales, enhancing infrastructure, and enhancing advertising and promotion efforts. Funding for This method was embraced On this yr’s enacted price range and Is An factor of Governor Hochul’s State of the State dedication to Ny’s agricultural enterprise and growing the resiliency of the state’s meals current chain following COVID-19.

Commissioner Ball said, “The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that It is crucial to have A strong, versatile, streamlined meals current chain proper right here in Ny State. The Farmers’ Market Resiliency Grant Program is One other side of Governor Hochul’s plan to assist That current chain, offering farmers’ markets with funding Desired to current on-line gross sales and Pay money for infrastructure and promotion, and finally attain extra consumers and get extra native Ny meals onto tables throughout the state.”

Funding out tright here by way of the Farmers’ Market Resiliency Grant Program Shall be out tright here for tasks that assist markets construct out infrastructure, collectively with cubicles and signage, and digital infrastructure like internet platform enhancement for on-line gross sales capabilities. Projects Can additionally embrace advertising and promotion initiatives for markets throughout the state, growing their attain to A lot extra consumers.

Eligible candidates embrace non-revenue organizations, native municipalities, enterprise enhancement districts, native chambers of commerce, and public revenue firms that presently function A Quantity of farmers’ markets in Ny State. Funding Shall be divided into two sections, with $300,000 devoted to grant awards of $10,000 to $50,000, and $400,000 devoted to awards of $50,000 to $100,000.

For extra information on This method and The biggest Technique To use, go to https://agriculture.ny.gov/rfp-0282-farmers-market-resiliency-grant. The deadline for proposals is 4:00 pm Wednesday, December 14, 2022. Purposes for funding should conform to the format currentd Inside the Grants Gatemethod. A internetinar with program information will Happen on November 17. Study extra and register.

Diane Eggert, Authorities Director of the Farmers’ Market Federation Of latest York said, “The pandemic created vital hardships for farmers’ markets To Guarantee They might proceed To join farmers with native clients. The COVID-19 ideas have been pricey To take care of, in each dollars and in human capital, however markets knew it was essential to maintaInside the market To maintain farmers complete and clients related to native meals. This grant alternative will go An prolonged Technique To assist markets in recovering from The prices of the pandemic and maintaining vibrant markets with new, revolutionary strategies To assemble relationships between farmers and consumers.”

Funding for the Farmers’ Market Resiliency Grant Program was introduced in Governor Hochul’s 2022 State of the State Tackle as An factor of the Governor’s dedication to Making a resilient meals system Which will Get up to extreme occasions, wright hereas being entryible to all Nyers.

Ny State has launched a number of groundbreaking packages In current occasions to strengthen the meals current chain and enhance entry to healthful, regionally grown meals throughout the State. The State’s Food Supply Working Group, which met Through the pandemic, launched a report in early 2022 outlining ideas for The biggest method To reinformationrce the resiliency and self-reliance of the meals system statewide. The State has furtherextra established a working group on Improving Metropolis and Rural Shopper Access to Locally Produced Well beingy Foods To join upstate and downstate Ny on meals procurement and distrihoweverion, which is getting ready to launch a report Inside The approaching months. Convening specialists to strengthen the joinion between upstate and downstate will facilitate simpler supply of current, native, nutritious meals to these Nyers who want it most.

Farmers’ markets, farm stands, and mobile markets are essential factors to a healthful meals system. Today, Ny has Greater than 400 farmers’ markets, 250 farm stands, and 10 mobile markets. They current retailers for agricultural producers To fulfill the rising consumer demand for Pretty a Little bit of current, fairly priced, and useful merchandise grown immediately from the farm. Ny State—by way of the Division of Agriculture and Markets, Division of Well being, Office for the Growing older, and Office of Short-term Incapacity Help—administers a number of packages that assist low-income households, seniors, and Veterans entry current, healthful meals at collaborating markets.