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From Fay’s to Food

When I was a child, my grandparents had a shop called Gil’s in the Ilion Fay’s Mall. I absolutely loved going to work with them and visiting with all the different shop owners. For a brief period, they also opened Grace’s Alli Café, which was next door to Gil’s. Fast forward over 25 years later, […]

Food Security and Emergency Preparedness

Food security is a critical aspect of disaster preparedness. Emergencies like floods, tornadoes, pandemics, and storms can disrupt food supplies. One of the first steps in creating a food security plan is to understand the local needs, including the specific food security challenges and vulnerabilities of the population. With Herkimer County being number one in […]

The Future is Bright for Local Foods in Herkimer County

The future is bright for local foods in Herkimer County! The 2024 rollout of the mobile market Veggie Van program has proven to be a successful model, helping to expand access to area residents who were otherwise unable to travel to a farmers’ market. With increased opportunities for local agricultural produce to reach area residents, […]

Strengthening Local Food Systems Through Farm-to-Institution Programs

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of local and regional food systems in building resilient, sustainable communities. As we face global challenges such as climate change, economic instability, and public health crises, the need to support and strengthen these systems has never been more critical. One of the most […]

Spring Means Greens

When I think of Spring, I think of plates heaped with fresh greens, the first tastes of the growing season. I continue to find ways to sneak greens into anything and everything this time of year, including quiche, soups, and smoothies. It’s a kind of celebration after the dormant months, where greens are the mascot […]

Gardening as a Family

Many families struggle to find time to connect with each other in meaningful ways. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2019) outlines the importance of this connection, stating that teens who felt connected to family are 65% less likely to use illicit drugs or misuse prescription drugs as adults. The study also found […]

Gardens and Food Security

Jessica Ladley “Jessica Ladley of West Winfield awoke one perfectly weathered day to find that her lawn had erupted into the most magnificent garden…” …that’s the way I wish to begin this story, and so I have. Standing within the boundaries of marigolds, time slowed as I snapped a photo of a bee lighting on […]

Enhancing Access to Fresh Produce

There has been a growing emphasis on the importance of access to fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables for promoting healthy diets and combating food insecurity. Farmers’ markets play a crucial role in providing communities with access to nutritious produce while also supporting local farmers and economies. One significant factor contributing to the accessibility of […]

Getting Ready for Spring by Garden Planning & Seed Starting

Here in the Mohawk Valley of upstate New York, where the winters are long and the growing season is short, seed starting for vegetable gardens is a great way to insure gardening success and expand your harvest. With a climate characterized by chilly springs and unpredictable frosts, starting seeds indoors offers gardeners a head start […]

Herkimer County Local Foods Map

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Herkimer County produces the Herkimer County Local Foods Map each year. It began in 2002 as a ‘Farm Produce and Tourism’ map, switching over to exclusively local food in 2009. The objective of creating this map has been to connect producers with consumers of local foods that are grown/produced in Herkimer […]