Food and Health Network of South Central NY
April, 2015 E-NewsletterLike us on Facebook
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Happy Spring!

We are thrilled to introduce you to Victoria Delaney, the newest member of the FaHN team! Victoria is the AmeriCorps Healthy Food Access Coordinator, and will be serving with us through November. Her primary focus is access to Summer Meals and working with community partners to increase the number of children who have healthy food with school is out. Victoria will support existing programs and collaborate on creative new initiatives. You can reach Victoria at rhsc-rf@rhnscny.org or 607-692-7669.

Economic Vitality in South Central NY:
In October 2011, the Food and Health Network released the first Regional Food System Assessment for South Central New York (FSA), illustrating our food system through a set of indicators categorized under four visions: Healthy Environments, Economic Vitality, Farm to Consumer Connections, and Healthy People. A full update was done in 2012, and a food security update was completed in 2014. This year we are excited to update aspects of the assessment related to Economic Vitality. Through an interactive and participatory process, FaHN will seek ideas from interested residents from many disciplines on key strengths, assets, and opportunities in each county. Stay tuned for more information on upcoming meetings throughout the region!

2015 Membership & Sponsorship: Join us today!

We are more than half way towards our 2015 membership and sponsorship goal of $10,000! Your pledge of support is critical towards reaching this goal and is an investment in a healthy, just, and vibrant regional food system.

You learn more about member and sponsor benefits and join FaHN today as a member or sponsor by visiting our website here.

Thank you to all of the organizations and individuals listed below who have submitted their 2015 membership and/or sponsorship contributions.
News and Events  
Be sure to like us on Facebook to learn about many more events in the region!  
April Food and Health Network Meeting: Cultivating Economic Vitality 

Date:        Thursday, April 23, 2015
Time:        2:00 - 4:00pm
Location: Beard Building (SUNY Cortland Main street) Cortland, NY

Please join the Food and Health Network in Cortland for an important discussion on economic vitality in South Central New York. During the meeting we will hear from Glenda Neff, Farm to Institution New York State, and hold a discussion on the 2015 Economic Vitality Update to the Regional Food System Assessment for SCNY. This is an exciting opportunity to share key strengths, assets, and opportunities for thriving farms and vibrant communities and learn more about the role of Farm to Institution. Your input is critical, we hope you can join us! Please RSVP to fahncoordinator@rhnscny.org or 607-692-7669 by Tuesday, April 21st.

Evaluation Made Easy: Learn How to Evaluate your Farm to School Activities

Webinar series: Wednesday April 8 - May 6, 5pm

Register here.  
VINES 3rd Annual Farm to Table Dinner
April 27th, 5pm
Remlik's Grille and Oyster Bar, Binghamton, NY
Chemung County Summer Meals and Programming for Youth Networking Luncheon

Chemung County Child Hunger Task Force

April 22, 11:30am-1:00pm

Catholic Charities, Elmira, NY   

SPACE IS LIMITED! RSVP to Jenna Russell Brimmer at jenna.fbst@gmail.com by April 17th.  

 

Permaculture for your Garden

Thursday, April 23, 2015, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

CCE-Tioga, Owego, NY  

Learn more here. 
Spring 2015 Draft Animal Practicum:

How Draft Horses & Mules Think - Horse Training Methods for Beginning Teamsters 

Presented by Groundswell & Donn's Teamster Training School 

May 2-3, 9 AM - 3PM, Marathon,NY. Learn more here. 


2015 Hunger Solutions NYS Anti-Hunger Conference
May 7th, 8:00am - 5:00pm
Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY
Policy Alert: Farm to School Act of 2015 
The Farm to School Act of 2015 has been introduced in Congress.The Farm to School Act of 2015 builds on the success of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 by proposing an increase in funding from $5 million to $15 million for the USDA Farm to School Grant Program. Learn more and take action here.

2015-16 New York State Budget News 
Earlier this month, the 2015-16 NYS budget was passed. The $142 billion budget includes funding for agriculture programs designed to connect consumers with locally produced food, increase farm profitability, boost rural economies and strengthen family farms. The Southern Tier will receive $30 million for an Agricultural Economic Development Initiative, and $100,000 for anti-poverty initiative in Broome County. You can see budget highlights here.    

  

Concept papers are now being accepted by the Council as one of the tools towards identifying possible Strategic Initiatives that demonstrate a collaborative approach to improve the region's economic climate with the potential for broad impact and measurable results. Learn more here.  

  

Pride of NY Pledge: The Taste of NY program is seeking food and beverage operations to sign the Pride of NY Pledge, a commitment to sourcing at least 10% New York State grown or made products and ingredients. They are also looking for growers, producers and processors that would be interested in connecting with food and beverages operations around the State. Sign the pledge here, or contact Joseph Ganley at joseph.ganley@agriculture.ny.gov or at (518) 457-7005. 
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. 


New AmeriCorps Position! Farm-Outreach Health Access Specialist with Mothers & Babies Perinatal Network (MBPN), Binghamton, NY
The Farm-Outreach Health Access Specialist will join a team of current AmeriCorps Health Access Specialists, with a focus on farm outreach within a five county region. You can learn more about this exciting new position and apply with the Rural Health Service Corps website here.  

NYS Health Foundation Special Projects Fund, letters of inquiry due April 23, 2015. Learn more here.

Aetna Foundation GoLocal: Cultivating Healthy Communities 2015 grant program - Local Roots: Supporting community gardens, urban farms and farmers markets. Due May 6, 2015. View RFP here.

USDA Local Food Promotion Program Grants, Due May 14, 2015. View RFA here.

USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program Grants, Due May 14, 2015. View RFA here.

  

USDA 2016 Farm to School Grants, due May 20, 2015. View the RFA here.  

2015-2016 School Breakfast Grants, Action for Healthy Kids, Due May 1, 2015. Learn more here.

Fuel Up to Play 60! Grants for healthy eating and physical activity in schools. RFA's released this spring, applications due June 16, 2015. Learn more here.
Rural Health Service Corps - Full and part time opportunities, View available positions here.


Everyone is a food system stakeholder, and we invite you to join FaHN as a 2015 member  
or sponsor.
Thank you to everyone who has already joined for 2015. Your support is critical to our shared efforts to reduce hunger, improve health, and promote sustainable economic development. If you haven't joined yet, become a new or renewed member or sponsor TODAY!
2015 Members and Sponsors

Organizational Members
Broome-Tioga BOCES Food Service
Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship (CADE)
Chenango County Health Department
Cornell Cooperative Extension Broome County
Cornell Cooperative Extension Tioga County
Delaware Opportunities Inc.
Family Enrichment Network
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 Hunger Coalition
Tioga Opportunities
Tompkins County Food Distribution Network
 VINES: Volunteers Improving Neighborhood Environments
Individual Members
Susan Adair
Diane Albrecht
Richard Andrus
Donna Bates
Mark Bordeau
Christina Boyd
Ray Denniston
Nancy Eckstrom
Matthew Griffin
Kathleen Horner
Sonia Janiszewski
Kevin Millar
Ann Moring
Peaceful By Nature Farm
Jeffrey Piestrak
Tony Preus
Amy Shapiro
Lauren Tonti
Rose Zonetti

Sponsors
Diane Albrecht
Greg Albrecht & Victoria Zeppelin
Susan Beaudoin
Elizabeth Bossong
Diane Crews
Ray Denniston
Nancy Eckstrom
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
Jeffrey Piestrak
Charles and Mary Place
John and Linda Roush
Jack Salo
Linda Seeger
Doris Summerlee
Lauren Tonti
United Health Services (UHS)
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