The Promise of Farm to Institution in New York State
Institutions, such as schools, colleges and other organizations annually provide meals to millions of New Yorkers, including more than six million people fed by publicly-funded institutions. These meals can offer a dependable source of nutritious food and improve the health of children, seniors and other vulnerable communities.
Institutions can also be important players in strengthening New York's economy, with publicly-funded institutions alone spending nearly $1 billion annually on food purchases. Transforming the food economy by increasing purchasing of healthy foods and keeping food dollars in our local economy will impact the lives of millions of New Yorkers - from children eating lunch in school, to seniors consuming a meal at a center, to farmers looking to make a better living.
Fostering Collaboration to Change the Local Food Economy
Farm to Institution New York State (FINYS) is a collaborative initiative led by American Farmland Trust to dramatically expand the volume of food grown on local farms that is served in institutions across New York. We believe that transforming the local food economy requires systemic change and efforts of many - from agriculture, public health, economic development, environment, education and other sectors.
Our efforts are led by FINYS in conjunction with a Leadership Team, drawing together experts that are changing the local food economy across New York. The Leadership Team helps guide FINYS programs, while fostering stronger networks to grow the farm to institution movement across New York.
Our Areas of Focus
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Advancing Public Policy
Public policy campaigns advocate for agencies and institutions receiving public funds for food purchases to buy New York-grown food, and to expand public funding available to institutions for purchasing those foods.
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Educating Institutions About Buying Locally
The Local Food Buyer Learning Center trains and supports institutions in expanding local food purchases.
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Inspiring Commitment & Framing Success
Transparency and documentation of changes in the local food economy are important to farm to institution success. We publish reports that analyze food purchasing in select institutional sectors and project the impacts of expanding local food purchasing.
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Advancing Inclusion in Farm to Institution
It is FINYS' mission to support the economic viability of all farmers and strengthen the health of New Yorkers through empowering institutions to purchase local, nutritious food. We remain dedicated to increasing access and inclusion through our programming. We are committed to a workplace and programming free from discrimination, and we will advocate to make Farm to School in New York state representative of the state's incredible diversity
Our Funders
American Farmland Trust is grateful for the support of FINYS from Joyce and Irving Goldman Family Foundation, the Northeast USDA Regional Food Business Center of the NASDA Foundation, the NoVo Foundation, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, as well as the New York State Health Foundation and members of American Farmland Trust.
