East End Food Institute

EAST END FOOD INSTITUTE IS A NEW YORK BASED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO IMPROVING EASTERN LONG ISLAND S FOOD SYSTEM. FUNDING FOR THE EAST END FOOD MARKET WILL ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES ESTABLISH INDOOR FARMERS MARKET TO BECOME A YEAR ROUND SALES OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL PRODUCERS ON LONG ISLAND, NY EXPAND VIRTUAL FARMERS MARKET SERVING DIRECT TO CONSUMER AND MID TIER VALUE CHAIN TO DIVERSIFY SALES CHANNELS FOR SMALL SCALE PRODUCERS ON LONG ISLAND, NY LAUNCH A NEW WEBSITE AND MARKETING CAMPAIGN TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE INDOOR FARMERS MARKET AND VIRTUAL MARKET AS A MEANS OF BOOSTING SALES FOR LOCAL PRODUCERS ON LONG ISLAND, NY IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING AN IMPORTANT YEAR ROUND SALES CHANNEL FOR LOCAL FARMS AND PRODUCERS, EAST END FOOD MARKET WILL BENEFIT SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, INSTITUTIONS, AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WITH INCREASED ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE LOCAL FOODS. AGRICULTURE ON LONG ISLAND FACES SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES, INCLUDING INCREASING COST OF LAND, WAGES,HOUSING, GOODS, AND SERVICES. TO BE COMPETITIVE, MANY FARMS ARE FORCED TO SHIFT TOWARD GROWING HIGH VALUE CROPS SUCH AS NURSERY STOCK AND WINE GRAPES INSTEAD OF FOOD. WHILE THESE FORMS OF AGRICULTURE ARE IMPORTANT FOR REGIONAL TOURISM, FOOD PRODUCTION MUST BE SUPPORTED FOR COMMUNITY RESILIENCY. THE PROJECT PROPERTY IS A PRIME LOCATION CENTRALLY LOCATED BETWEEN THE TWO FORKS OF LONG ISLAND, ADJACENT TO AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION DESIGNATED OPPORTUNITY ZONE (SUFFOLK COUNTY NY TRACT 1697.04) AND IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO A USDA ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE LOW INCOME LOW ACCESS AREA (TRACT 36103169704).

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** EAST END FOOD INSTITUTE IS WELL INTEGRATED IN THE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM AND HAS A CLEAR VISION FOR IMPROVING IT. THE FIRST PHASE OF THIS PROJECT IS UNDERWAY AND INCLUDES THE RELOCATION OF THE WELL-KNOWN RIVERHEAD INDOOR FARMERS MARKET (NOW EAST END FOOD MARKET) TO A PERMANENT SITE AND ENHANCING THE MARKET WITH THE ABILITY TO ACCEPT SNAP BENEFITS VIA THE DOUBLE UP FOOD BUCKS PROGRAM. GRANT FUNDING WILL BE USEDTOWARD THE BUILD-OUT OF A COMMUNITY KITCHEN THAT WILL SUPPORT VALUE-ADDED PROCESSING OF LOCAL PRODUCE, INCUBATION OF SMALL-SCALE LOCAL FOOD AND BEVERAGE BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION. THIS CENTRAL CAMPUS WILL SERVE AS THE HEADQUARTERS FOR EAST END FOOD INSTITUTE, A NONPROFIT WHOSE MISSION IS TO SUPPORT, PROMOTE, AND ADVOCATE FOR A SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM.EAST END FOOD INSTITUTE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF ADDRESSING FOOD INSECURITY THROUGH ITS FARM TO FOOD PANTRY PROGRAM, AND IS NOW PARTNERING WITH CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OF SUFFOLK COUNTY (CCE SUFFOLK) ON THIS GRANT TO ADD PROGRAMMING TARGETED TOWARD LOW-INCOME POPULATIONS IN OUR REGION. CCE SUFFOLK'S ESTABLISHED NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAMS BRING AFFORDABLE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES TO THOSE SUFFERING FROM FOOD INSECURITY, AND MULTILINGUAL NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAMS FURTHER REINFORCE PROPER WELLNESS. WITH ACCESS TO EAST END FOOD INSTITUTE'S COMMERCIAL KITCHEN, CCE SUFFOLK WILL BE ABLE TO EXTEND ITS PROGRAMMING TO INCLUDE FOOD DEMONSTRATIONS AND COOKING EDUCATION TO IMPROVE SELF-RELIANCE FOR THESE LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES.

FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS THE COSTS INCURRED TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO RESPOND TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS 2019 (COVID-19), WHICH MAY INCLUDE WORKPLACE SAFETY, MARKET PIVOTS, RETROFITTING FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, WORKER HOUSING, AND MEDICAL EXPENSES. IT PROVIDES NEEDED RELIEF TO THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS FOR THEIR COSTS INCURRED BETWEEN JANUARY 27, 2020, THE DATE UPON WHICH THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE (HHS) UNDER SECTION 319 OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT, AND DECEMBER 31, 2021. BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE EMPLOYEES OF THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS.