NNY Food Hub Initiative

The NNY Food Hub is a regional initiative to help local producers expand their production and become more competitive in the marketplace. The hub serves an area that includes Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego and St. Lawrence Counties. Follow our progress as we work to grow and improve this sector of the local food economy by helping producers market and sell locally grown produce, fruits, maple, cheeses, meats and other value added products.

In 2016, New York State’s agriculture budget included $1 million for an effort to launch food hubs across Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence and Oswego counties. State Sen. Patricia A. Ritchie, who is chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, secured the funding.

In fall of 2016, 2 new Local Foods specialists, Remy Cline and David Puccia, were hired by Cornell Cooperative Extension to spearhead the efforts. This is a regional initiative that includes Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego and St. Lawrence Counties and the two specialist are based out of the Jefferson County Cornell Cooperative Extension office. The Food Hub initiative is off and running with Advisory Meetings held in the Northern, Central and Southern parts of this region. Pilot projects are planned for this summer and we expect to be joined by a student interns from Cornell and Syracuse University as well as a VISTA volunteer. Follow our progress as we work to grow and improve this sector of the local food economy by helping producers market and sell locally grown produce, fruits, maple, cheeses, meats and other value added products.

Last updated July 7, 2017