PLATTSBURGH – Assembly Member D. Billy Jones (Lake D-Chateaugay) on Tuesday pushed for the overhaul and expansion of federal and state initiatives aimed at tackling food insecurity and helping farmers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Joining fellow politicians and local nonprofit leaders in the Joint Council for Economic Opportunity at the offices of Plattsburgh Clinton and Franklin Counties Inc., he is calling for any future bids for the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Box for Families program to roll out equally to the northeast and, in particular, Northern Countries.

JCEO Chief Executive Officer Bruce Garcia explained that the Food Box program stems from a coronavirus aid law passed by Congress earlier this year.

“The aim of this program is actually to distribute fresh food from local farmers and local distributors to families in need.”

OFFER FOR GLAZIERS

According to the USDA website, the program is a partnership between national, regional and local distributors to purchase up to $ 4.5 billion of fresh produce, dairy and meat products from American producers of all sizes.

Distributors then package the product into family-sized boxes which are transported to food banks, community-based and religious organizations, and other non-profit organizations.

USDA gave nearly $ 3.4 million to Glazier Packing Co. based in Malone in Phases 1 and 2 of the Lunchbox program, according to figures from the USDA website. Glazier was one of seven companies based in New York State to win the bid at that time.

Mayor of Malone Village and Franklin County Legislator Andrea Dumas (R-District 3) said that, during the distribution events held in the counties of Clinton, Franklin and St. Lawrence, 70,000 boxes of food and 22,000 gallons of milk were distributed from May to August.

But in the latest bidding round announced in October, only two contracts were meant to serve New York State. One company is based in New Jersey and the other is in the Bronx.

Dumas noted that the event demonstrated a great need for the Food Box program, adding that some people queued up two hours earlier.

“If the USDA can return to work and work with our distributors to help us support needy families in our community, we are here to talk to you.”

REPAIR PROCESS

Jones argues that the USDA has essentially shut down the North and most of the Northeast.

The current Food Box Initiative will end on December 31st. Board members hope that, if it continues, the USDA can improve the way contracts are awarded after the real change between Phases 2 and 3.

“The USDA needs to improve its bidding process so that our local distributors, our local food bank and our local farmers can benefit from this program, and most importantly, our local families, our seniors, our children, our families throughout New York State. and the North can benefit from this. “

Garcia said in a normal year, the JCEO food pantry collectively distributes about a million pounds of food. The most recent figures show that, by the end of 2020, that figure will be closer to 1.5 million.

Additionally, he added, while his organization typically distributes about 600 Thanksgiving baskets in Clinton and Franklin counties, this year they were just under 1,000.

“The need is there, people need food,” said Garcia. “We see it consistently and, you know, there is only so much we can do.

“We need help and assistance from agencies such as the USDA and the Farmers’ Food Box program.”

‘EATING MORE PEOPLE’

Nourish New York, which like the Food Box program buys food from local farmers, continues a program abandoned by the federal government and is very successful, said Jones.

In late October, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced an additional $ 10 million for the initiative, which distributes food through the state’s food bank system. The press release from Cuomo’s office said that, since the program’s inception, more than 16 million pounds of fresh food and milk have been purchased and supplied to more than 823,000 households across the state.

Plattsburgh’s Interfaith Food Rack Coordinator Dorothy Latta said her organization has been able to procure some Nourish New York food through the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York at no charge.

“We can get products – like real cheese, not cheese products, meat, some main source of protein – and not spending our own budget on it allows us to have more money to feed more people and get fruits or vegetables and more. , “He added.

“My donation to Nourish New York, apart from providing healthy food to people, is to support the agency so they can continue to feed people.”

Jones hopes the state will provide more funding.

“The state is experiencing a lot of fiscal difficulties, but we will continue to advocate for programs and programs like this.”

PROVIDING NUTRITION

Clinton County Department of Social Services Deputy Commissioner Rich Holcomb commented on the irony that, although agriculture is one of the North Country’s largest industries, much of the region qualifies as a food wasteland.

That is, access to quality food is inadequate for individuals living in our country, he explained. “Nourish New York is a program that enables local farmers to help support and obtain healthy, nutritious, self-grown food for the people who live in our area.”

President and CEO of the United Way of the Adirondack Region Inc. John Bernardi says that fresh food may not always fit onto the cart of vulnerable families, such as those in the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) category – often meaning they earn too much to qualify for government assistance, but they don’t enough to smoothly navigate unexpected expenses.

They may have many other needs that need to be addressed, he continued, such as renting, keeping their car on the road or paying for glasses for their children.

“This farm fresh program is not only important in terms of feeding people. It provides nutrients that people would not get on their own. “

Cara Chapman Email:

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