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Food and Health Network of South Central NY
September, 2014 E-NewsletterLike us on Facebook 
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Spotlight on The Healthy Harvest Program: An Interview with Melissa Knowles

In recognition of Hunger Action Month, the Food and Health Network spoke with the Food Bank of the Southern Tier to learn more about one of their innovative programs to increase access to healthy, locally produced food. The Healthy Harvest Program is a powerful tool for ensuring that children and families have access to nutritious, local food and for improving long term health. Below is an excerpt from an interview with Melissa Knowles, Food Sourcing Manager, Food Bank of the Southern Tier

 

How does the Healthy Harvest Program work?

Early in the year we worked with the growers to determine a price and product selection that represented the best use of the donated funds. The Food Bank and the farms entered into a Letter of Understanding specifying the terms of the agreement. As harvest season approached a plan was developed to incorporate farm pickups and distribution to agencies.

 

What are some of the outcomes of the Healthy Harvest Program for both those receiving the food and those donating the food?

The innumerable health benefits of eating fresh, local produce is the mainstay of this program. Through August we have received over 115,000 pounds of produce that spans 25 varieties. Healthy Harvest also allows us the privilege of building relationships with local farms further indicating sustainability and local economy stimulation.


 

 NOFA-NY Locavore Challenge  

Take the Locavore Challenge this September and join NOFA-NY in celebrating local food, farmers and farm-to-table cooking. Learn more here and get involved!  

 

USDA Announces Value-Added Producer Grant Recipients  
Congratulations to the 2014 grant recipients in our region and around the US! View the list here. 
News and Events
Be sure to like us on Facebook to learn about many more events in the region!  
September Food and Health Network Meeting 

Please RSVP to [email protected] or 607-692-7669 by Tuesday, September 23rd and let us know if you'd like to carpool!  

Cortland Poverty Simulation 
September 17, 2:30 - 4:30pm 
NYS Grange, Cortland 

Community Forum: Silent Crisis - Hunger in Cortland County 
September 18, 9:00am 
Port Watson Conference Center
RSVP to 753-6781 or [email protected] 
VINES: Composting and Soil Building Workshop  
September 20th, 1:30-3:30PM
Lee Barta Community Center, 108 Liberty St, Binghamton
Register here and view more workshops.
GreenStar Community Projects: Food Justice Festival
September 27, 12:00 - 4:00pm
BJM Elementary school-grounds between W Buffalo & Court St in Ithaca
Learn more here.  
2014 NYS Conference on the Environment
October 2nd - 4th  
Hilton Doubletree, Binghamton  
Learn more and register.
2014 Broome County Farm Trail
October 4th & 5th
10:00am - 4:00pm
13th Annual Taste of Tioga 
October 10th, 2014
5:30pm - 8:00pm
Owego Treadway Inn, 1100 New York 17C, Owego, NY 
Grants, Opportunities, and Resources

Let us know if you are interested in applying for a food/health-related funding opportunity! The Food and Health Network is here to facilitate effective, regional collaboration.
We'd love to assist in connecting you with other organizations in our region that can strengthen your application and build your project's capacity and resources. 

Rodale Institute - Your 2 Cents Fund
Grant applications accepted August 1 - December 31, 2014. View the RFP here.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) 2015 Culture of Health Prize
Deadline for Phase 1 Applications, September 17, 2014. Learn more.

Farm Catskills, Program Manager Position,
Applications due September 22, 2014. View the position here.

Rural Health Network, Director of Rural Health Service Corps, Application due September 25, 2014. View the position here.

USDA Pilot Project for Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables
Interested State Distributing Agencies (SDAs) must submit an application by September 30, 2014. Learn more.

Whole Kids Foundation, School Garden Grants. Application open September 1- October 31, 2014. Learn more.

WealthWorks Training for Coaches and Coordinators, October 2014. Registrations are on a first-received basis - learn more and submit an application.

2015 Northeast SARE Partnership Grants, Application due November 4, 2014. Learn more.

USDA Rural Community Development Initiative Grants, Application due November 12, 2014. Learn more.

2015 Northeast SARE Farmer Grants, Deadline for Applications, December 2, 2014. Learn more.

Rural Health Service Corps - Full and part time opportunities, View available positions here.

Binghamton Farm Share Internship. Learn more here.



2014 Members and Sponsors

Organizational Members
Binghamton Regional Sustainability Coalition (BRSC)
Broome County Council of Churches 
Broome County Health Department
Broome-Tioga BOCES Food Service
Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship (CADE)
Chenango County Health Department
Chenango Health Network
Cornell Cooperative Extension Broome County
Cornell Cooperative Extension Tioga County
Finger Lakes Fresh Food Hub & Challenge Workforce Solutions
Food Bank of the Southern Tier
Hatherleigh Foundation
Healthy Lifestyles Coalition (United Way)
Rural Health Network of South Central New York
Seven Valley's Health Coalition
Tioga County Farm Bureau
Tioga County Hunger Coalition
Tioga Opportunities, Inc.
Tompkins County Food Distribution Network
 TouchPoint Support Services at Lourdes Hospital
United Health Services (UHS)
 VINES: Volunteers Improving Neighborhood Environments

Individual Members
Susan Adair
Diane Albrecht
Richard Andrus
Karen Bayer
Mark Bordeau
Ray Denniston
Nancy Eckstrom
Matthew Griffin
Pamela Guth
Sonia Janiszewski
Susan Paredez
Jeffrey Piestrak
Tony Preus
Jack Salo
Lauren Tonti
Jennifer Wilkins

Sponsors
Diane Albrecht
Beth Bossong
Davidson Fox & Company
Finger Lakes Fresh Food Hub & Challenge Workforce Solutions
Sarah Manchester
NBT Bank
Glenda Neff
Charles Place
Jack Salo
Linda Seeger
Natalie Thompson
United Health Services (UHS)
Shawn Yetter
Victoria Zeppelin
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