NY farmers donate millions of pounds to food banks

By Blake Jackson

New York Farm Bureau members once again showed their dedication to fighting hunger by donating a whopping 8 million pounds of food to regional food banks across the state in 2023. This impressive contribution, announced at the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference, solidified New York's position as the second-highest donor in the nation, falling just short of Florida.

The "Harvest for All" program, a nationwide partnership between Farm Bureaus and Feeding America in each state, facilitated these donations. In New York, the program is overseen by the New York Farm Bureau's Young Farmers and Ranchers committee and Feeding New York State. The donated bounty is then distributed amongst the 10 Feeding America food banks operating within the state.

These donations highlight the crucial role food banks play in combating food insecurity within New York. The New York Farm Bureau and Feeding New York State advocate for continued funding of programs like Nourish NY and Healthy School Meals for All. These initiatives provide food banks with resources to purchase healthy, locally produced food, benefiting both struggling New Yorkers and the state's agricultural sector.

"New York agriculture has a long history of giving back," said Rich De Meyer, Chair of the New York Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers. "We recognize the importance of access to fresh, healthy food in our communities. I want to express my gratitude to all the farms that participated last year, as well as Feeding New York State for their efforts in connecting us with those in need. The New York Farm Bureau remains committed to strengthening our food system and ensuring all New Yorkers have access to food."

Dan Egan, Executive Director of Feeding New York State, echoed this sentiment. "We are incredibly grateful to New York farmers for their generous donations of high-quality, fresh produce," he said. "Our network of 10 food banks nourishes millions of New Yorkers, but this wouldn't be possible without the farmers who grow our food. As my father used to say, 'Work is love made visible.' Our collaboration embodies this spirit of neighborly love. We look forward to another successful year with a bountiful harvest, good health, and continued collaboration."

Over the past two decades, New York farms have donated a staggering 136 million pounds of food through the "Harvest for All" program, translating to over 100 million meals for those in need. This program exemplifies the enduring commitment of New York's agricultural community to supporting their fellow citizens.

Photo Credit: new-york-farm-bureau