Thanks to the generosity of foundation funders Adirondack Foundation, Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, New York State Health Foundation (NYS Health), and hundreds of individual donors, we delivered over 4,314 Emergency Food Packages (over 64,000 meals) to local households in need, with more on the way. What happens next? We need to ensure that these families, and many more like them, can continue to access locally-grown, healthy meals delivered to their doorsteps.
Emergency Food Packages are becoming Farm Fresh Packages. Just like our Emergency Food Packages, all the food in Farm Fresh Packages is grown and produced locally, and delivered to households who need them. There are two types of Farm Fresh Packages: one that includes more raw ingredients, for those who prefer to cook; and one that incorporates locally prepared frozen meals and products. Both types of packages contain in-season vegetables and fruit, eggs, yogurt, and bread. Starting in October, any household within the delivery radius (about 75 miles from Essex, NY) will be able to buy a Farm Fresh Package from the Hub on the Hill‘s Mobile Market. Limited-income families will be able to substantially reduce the cost of the packages by using a combination of SNAP benefits, Double Up Food Bucks, and a new Fair Food Pricing incentive program by AdkAction.
The Fair Food Pricing program reduces the price of local food by 30% for qualifying households in the Adirondack Region. Eligibility for Fair Food Pricing is established by the United Way’s ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) income thresholds. ALICE households make more than the Federal Poverty Level, but not enough to afford the basic cost of living, and are often one emergency away from the financial crisis. Households do not have to be SNAP-eligible to be Fair Food Pricing eligible, but when used together with SNAP benefits and Double Up Food Bucks, participants can get up to 65% off retail prices, while local farmers will still receive full market value for their products. Eligibility information and a form to sign up are available on our Fair Food Pricing project page.
How it works: Fair Food Pricing eligible households are equipped with a discount code to buy Farm Fresh Packages delivered to their door by the Hub on the Hill. The Hub on the Hill will be offering Farm Fresh Packages for home delivery to anyone interested that lives within their delivery area. Farm Fresh Packages are available for purchase beginning October 1, 2020, and Fair Food Pricing sign-ups begin on August 31, 2020.
With support from a New York Health Foundation grant, the Fair Food Pricing incentive program is funded through December 31, 2020. AdkAction is working to ensure the ongoing success of the program beyond year’s end to ultimately create both a reliable market for area farmers and a stable and affordable outlet for low-income and vulnerable Adirondack residents to purchase fresh food.
