There’s no shortage of locally sourced food in Chautauqua County. Agriculture was one of the original industries when the county was founded in the early 19th century, and it’s been a cornerstone of our local economy every since. There’s also been a strong effort to connect our residents with our local growers over the years, whether it be at a roadside stand, general store, or public market. That connection is present to this day, thanks to a variety of programs including the Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Chautauqua County’s ‘Grow Chautauqua’ initiative, launched at the start of 2024 as a pilot program to strengthen the connection between county growers and residents. Linnea Haskin, CCE Community Food Systems Educator, recently offered an update on the program following the 2024 season.
By Linnea Haskin, Community Food Systems Educator
Cornell Cooperative Extension – Chautauqua County/Nutrition Program
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County is proud to announce a successful pilot season for its ‘Grow Chautauqua’ initiative, part of the New York Food for New York Families program funded by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets and the USDA.
The program aims to support local and traditionally disadvantaged farmers and producers, establish broader partnerships within the food distribution community, and improve food access for underserved, rural and remote communities.
Over the course of the season, which started in June and ended November 2, CCE purchased products from approximately 23 farms, local-food businesses, producers, and wholesale distributors for distribution across Chautauqua County. Over $250,000 was invested within the local food-system.
More than 200,000 pounds of locally grown fruits and vegetables, meat products, and value-added products, such as baked goods, jams, honey, and maple syrup were provided to communities in Ripley, Jamestown, Fredonia, Falconer, Frewsburg, Lakewood, Mayville, Sinclairville, Clymer, Brocton, and Dunkirk. All products were distributed at no cost and with no restrictions to all participants. An estimated 1,000 individuals and families were served.
“We could not have accomplished this incredible community investment without the dedication of our local agriculture community, small businesses, and passionate volunteers and community organizations,” Haskin said.
Main partner Brigiotta’s Farmland Produce & Garden Center packaged an average of 500 food-boxes per week, delivering them to various partners, who worked directly with the community.
Other collaborators included the:
- Jamestown Mobile Market, dedicated to growing the city’s local food system
- Chautauqua County Rural Ministries; a Dunkirk based food pantry and soup kitchen;
- the local Salvation Army;
- St. Susan’s Center;
- Friendship Baptist Church of Dunkirk;
- The Ripley Public Library.
CCE also partnered with the Chautauqua County Office for Aging Services (OFAS), supporting their Local Roots program which brings fresh produce from organic farm Abers Acres to 450 older adults per week for a total of 12 weeks.
“Reducing the barriers to access fresh produce helps our older adults to ultimately reach the recommended number of servings of fruits and vegetables each day. This reduces overall risk for malnutrition, helps prevent or maintain chronic disease processes, and helps our older adults age well in their homes,” states Carey Skelton, Dietitian and Nutrition and Wellness Coordinator for OFAS.
Partners were chosen based on their current standing in the community, their experience with food access programs, and their outreach with communities most vulnerable, including low-income families, persons of color, homeless individuals, and older adults.
CCE issues a heartfelt thank you to the farmers who grew, produced and provided product for the program:
- Abers Acres (Kennedy)
- Amanda Byler (Frewsburg)
- Bit-O-Breeze Farm (Jamestown)
- Carli Cook (Stockton)
- Chautauqua County Produce Auction
- Ellicottville Greens (Olean)
- Eden Valley Creamery (South Dayton)
- Degolier’s Maple (Forestville)
- Roberto Fred Farms (Dunkirk)
- Richard Feinen Farms (Dunkirk)
- Green Heron Farm (Sherman)
- Enjoyable Acres (Fredonia)
- Lizzie Byler (Frewsburg)
- Hidden Valley Produce (Frewsburg)
- JM Joy Farms (Fredonia)
- Miller’s Apples (Dunkirk)
- Maggitti Farms (Fredonia)
- Snowbelt Gardens (Jamestown)
- Stand Fast Grass Fed Beef (Dunkirk)
- Yerico Farms (Dunkirk)
- Gage Farms (Silver Creek)
- Roo Haven Farm (Forestville)
- Sunshine Honey (Sherman).
The 2025 season for the ‘Grow Chautauqua’ program will begin in March of 2025, and run through August. Community members are encouraged to keep an eye out for exact distribution locations and dates to be announced in the spring.
Chautauqua County residents are also encouraged to shop locally, even in the ‘off-season,’ by supporting local farms and producers. More information on local farms and agriculture businesses can be found via Chautauqua Grown, a guide to all thing’s local foods, including farms that sell products direct to consumers, farmers markets, and restaurants that purchase locally produced food. Chautauqua Grown can be accessed at the CCE website, as well as on Facebook.
The Grow Chautauqua Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a subordinate governmental agency with an educational mission that operates under a form of organization and administration approved by Cornell University as agent for the State of New York. It is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The association is part of the national cooperative extension system, an educational partnership between County, State, and Federal governments. As New York’s land grant university Cornell administers the system in this state. Each Cornell Cooperative Extension association is an independent employer that is governed by an elected Board of Directors with general oversight from Cornell. All associations work to meet the needs of the counties in which they are located as well as state and national goals. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.