Cornell Chautauqua Grow Program Sees Success and Keeps Growing...

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (August 6, 2024) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County is excited to share the success, and growth, of its pilot program Grow Chautauqua, funded via the USDA and NY State Department of Agriculture and Markets New York Food for New York Families initiative.

Launching on June 12th, the program has partnered with several food access and community organizations to bring local, fresh produce items and food products directly to community members at no cost.

Distributions occur weekly at the Jamestown Mobile Market, a program of Grow Jamestown and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church; Chautauqua County Rural Ministries; Ripley Public Library; and in collaboration with Office for the Aging’s Local Roots program.

So far this season, CCE has distributed over 50,000 pounds of locally grown, raised and produced products to Jamestown, Dunkirk, Ripley, and surrounding communities. Per the NYFFNYF program, farmers and food producers are compensated full market value for all products, which are then distributed in designated ‘low-food access’ areas, or parts of the county where individuals face difficulties acquiring fresh, local produce due to transportation barriers, cost, or factors such as age or race.

Farms and businesses who have contributed product to the program include: Yerico Farms (Dunkirk); Roberto Fred Farms (Dunkirk); Lizzie Byler (Frewsburg); Bit-o-Breeze Farm (Jamestown); Snowbelt Gardens (Jamestown); Feinen Farms (Dunkirk); Maggitti Farms (Dunkirk); Sunshine Honey (Sherman); Degolier Maple Products (Forestville); Roo Haven Farms (Forestville); JM Joy Farms (Fredonia); Miller’s Apples (Dunkirk); Abers Acres (Kennedy); Amanda Byler (Frewsburg); Eden Valley Creamery (South Dayton); Ellicottville Greens (Olean); Stand Fast Farm (Dunkirk); Green Heron Growers (Panama); Carli Cook (Stockton); Enjoyable Acres (Fredonia) and the Clymer Produce Auction (Clymer).

Produce is delivered by farmers to main partner Brigiotta’s Farmland Produce & Garden Center where it is packaged for distribution. Abers Acres packages all produce for the Local Roots program. Other items are offered on a rotating basis and include beef or pork products, cheese, fresh baked bread, jams and jellies, eggs, and maple syrup or honey.

Starting August 7th at 11 AM, the Grow Chautauqua program will expand by providing 50 boxes for distribution to Friendship Baptist Church in Dunkirk, bi-weekly.

“The program has always been about increasing food access, first” says Community Food System Coordinator Linnea Haskin.

“In planning the project, CCE has learned of the many opportunities, and at times, barriers, our communities face when it comes to accessing fresh, and local, foods. Partnering with Friendship Baptist church will further expand the reach, while helping CCE and local farmers better understand how to best serve communities, particularly those made vulnerable due to poverty, age, race or geographic location.”

The program is also a benefit for local farmers, many who struggle to find consistent markets for their products. Derek Yerico of Yerico Farms shares, “It’s a win-win…helps the community but it also gets [the farm] nice orders…like many, this year has been tough. We are honored and thankful to be a part of [the program].”

All community members are welcome to receive a Grow Chautauqua box weekly, at no cost with no ID or income eligibility requirements. Boxes are first come first served and can be found at:

Jamestown Mobile Market, various locations, Wednesdays 10 AM to 2 PM and Thursdays, 1 PM to 5 PM. Info can be found at: https://www.jtownpublicmarket.org/mobile-market

Friendship Baptist Church, E Second St., Wednesdays 11 AM until gone.

Chautauqua County Rural Ministries, Washington Ave, Wednesdays from 12:30 PM until gone.

Ripley Public Library, Main Street, Saturdays, 11 AM until gone.

Farmers or food producers interested in participating in the program can contact Haskin at 716 664 9502, ext. 210.

Community members can also find more information on all farms participating in the program by visiting the Chautauqua Grown map at https://chautauqua.cce.cornell.edu/.

The Grow Chautauqua Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a subordinate governmental agency with an educational mission that operates under a form of organization and administration approved by Cornell University as agent for the State of New York. It is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The association is part of the national cooperative extension system, an educational partnership between County, State, and Federal governments. As New York’s land grant university Cornell administers the system in this state. Each Cornell Cooperative Extension association is an independent employer that is governed by an elected Board of Directors with general oversight from Cornell. All associations work to meet the needs of the counties in which they are located as well as state and national goals. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated August 6, 2024