Western New York is home to over 2 million people. A rich and beautiful natural landscape where agriculture and food are central to both the culture and the economy is visible all around us. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nation’s food and agricultural system has magnified the importance of having a strong and resilient regional food and farming system. A robust regional food system brings resilience and food security in an ever-changing world and offers jobs and wealth creation opportunities for rural and urban communities alike. We can reset the course towards a food system that provides healthy and fresh food for all, builds sustainability and resilience in our production and processing sectors, and grows businesses and jobs in Western NY.
In the face of COVID-19, climate change impacts, and other system shocks, this moment calls for visionary and bold structural change rather than fragmentary approaches across the region. The Western NY Regional Food System Assessment and Planning Initiative is the 18-month planning phase of a longer-term project designed to improve regional food systems. This assessment and planning process includes Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties. In this process businesses, not for profits, local government and agencies, and others will collaborate closely to set a cross-county, cross-sector vision and actionable implementation plan.
A survey of farmers and food entrepreneurs in the nine-county region of Western New York State (WNY) will inform the project team and funding partners about the opportunities and challenges farms and food businesses in the region are grappling with as the team recommends future projects to strengthen the food and agriculture sector in the region. The survey takes about 12 – 15 minutes to complete. Farmers voices need to be heard as this initiative pushes forward. If you have questions about the survey please direct them to the lead project consultant Anthony Flaccovento, hello@anthonyflacovento.com.
A second survey targets aspiring farmers and food entrepreneurs in the WNY Region. Please share this survey with anyone you might know who is in the start-up phase or looking to start a farm or food based business in the WNY Region.
To learn more about the WNY Regional Food System Initiative check out the project website or reach out to one of the regional advisory council (RAC) members, who are engaged in guiding the project. Lastly, if you have an interest in personally getting involved to provide feedback and ideas as the project develops, consider joining one of the five working groups: production/farming, finance/investment, markets/buyers, infrastructure, or social justice/food access. A RAC member can connect you with leaders for any of the working groups.
