The United Way Of Northern New York Inc

JEFFERSON COUNTY LACKS A COHERENT UNDERSTANDING OF THE FOOD SYSTEM SECTORS AND THE IMPACTS ON LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WHO FACE FOOD INSECURITY ON A REGULAR BASIS. WITHOUT COUNTY-WIDE TRANSPORTATION, LOW-INCOME FAMILIES ARE OFTEN STRANDED IN FOOD DESERTS WHERE FOOD SOURCES ARE LIMITED, AND CONSUMER GOODS ARE HIGHER IN COST. IN WATERTOWN, WHERE FOOD IS MORE PLENTIFUL THROUGH RETAIL OUTLETS AND NONPROFIT FOOD PANTRIES, ACCESSIBILITY IS IMPROVED; HOWEVER, THE HOURS OF OPERATION FOR THE FOOD PANTRIES ARE OFTEN PROHIBITIVE TO THE VULNERABLE RESIDENTS GAINING ACCESS TO THEIR SERVICES. WE LACK A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO CREATING AND SUSTAINING A FOOD SYSTEM THAT EMBRACES THE STRENGTHS OF EACH STAKEHOLDER IN EACH FOOD SECTOR, WHILE ADDRESSING THE LIMITATIONS OF OUR FOOD ECOSYSTEM.A DETAILED STUDY OF THE INDIVIDUAL FOOD SECTORS WITH RESPECT TO FOOD INSECURITY WILL REVEAL GAPS AND INEFFICIENCIES IN OUR FOOD SYSTEM THAT CAN BE ELIMINATED THROUGH A COORDINATED APPROACH. NOT ONLY WILL THIS STRATEGY DIRECTLY ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, BUT WILL INCENTIVIZE LOCAL GROWERS, PRODUCTION FACILITIES, DISTRIBUTORS AND ALL OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO EMBRACE A FOOD SYSTEM POLICY THAT IS INHERENTLY MORE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT FOR ALL. ENTREPRENEURIAL IDEAS, COLLABORATION WITH FOR-PROFIT BUSINESSES, COORDINATION AMONG NON-PROFITS, AND INPUT FROM CONSUMERS - ALL WHO CURRENTLY OFTEN OPERATE IN SILOS, WILL PUT TOGETHER IDEAS AND PLANS TO SOLVE ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY ISSUES FOR ALL OF OUR CITIZENS - INCLUDING THE MOST VULNERABLE.