Families across the Adirondacks are gaining new, reliable access to fresh, locally produced food through AdkAction’s Fair Food Card, now coordinated in partnership with Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) offices throughout the region. WIC is a federal nutrition service that supports low-income families with pregnant individuals and young children age five and under. Launched on January 1, 2026, Fair Food is already supporting 98 households while strengthening the regional agricultural economy.
The Fair Food project began in 2021 as an evolution of AdkAction’s pandemic-era food security initiatives. What started as a small, locally grounded effort to help working families access nutritious food has grown into a trusted regional model that supports both household food security and Adirondack farmers.
Through the Fair Food Card project, participating WIC households received a debit-style card pre-loaded with $100 each month to spend exclusively on locally grown and produced foods at approved vendors. Families can use the card at more than 20 farms, farmers markets, and local retailers across the Adirondacks, purchasing fresh produce, local meats, and regionally made value-added products. The card also helps fill critical gaps by covering items not always included in other nutrition programs, such as organic produce and many local foods.
“Demand for the Fair Food Card has increased each year, and we want to ensure the cards are reaching families who can benefit most from consistent access to fresh, local food,” said Kailey Maher, AdkAction Project Coordinator. “By partnering directly with WIC offices, we’re able to connect with households already engaged in nutrition projects and deliver this support in a way that is reliable, coordinated, and community-centered.”
In 2026, the Fair Food project is partnering with WIC offices serving Clinton, Essex, Hamilton, Warren, Franklin, and St. Lawrence Counties, offering year-long Fair Food Cards to participating families. WIC offices play a key role in identifying eligible participants, supporting families as they use their cards, and collaborating with AdkAction to track use throughout the year. This coordinated approach helps ensure that benefits are fully utilized, barriers are addressed quickly, and families feel supported over time.
“We are thrilled that our WIC program has been selected for this opportunity,” said Kelsey Barnes of Clinton County. “This program will help families access locally sourced foods they may not have been able to previously, while also helping offset monthly grocery expenses – a true win-win.”
“While we receive WIC benefits, they don’t always cover everything our household needs for the month,” one participant shared. “The Fair Food card helps supplement what WIC provides by allowing us to purchase additional fresh produce, proteins, and staple items that aren’t fully covered. It reduces financial stress, helps us stretch our grocery budget, and ensures we’re able to provide balanced, nutritious meals for our family consistently.”
The partnership model aligns with AdkAction’s long-term goals of strengthening the regional food system, supporting rural families, and creating steady demand for locally produced food.
“We’re excited to build on what we’ve learned and work alongside WIC teams who share our commitment to healthy families and resilient local food systems,” Maher added. “Together, we can ensure that more Adirondack children grow up with access to the nutritious, local foods that help them thrive.”
The 2026 Fair Food Card project is generously supported by a grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, whose investment made this partnership possible. Because funding is limited, the project is currently able to serve up to 100 households across the region. Local WIC offices played a central role in identifying and distributing Fair Food Cards to families who met project criteria, to help ensure participants could fully benefit from this unique add-on support.
