CARMEL – Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County has received a $35,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program and locally, the funds will be used to work with local residents and leaders to plan for long term solutions to food insecurity.
The new food system coalition includes the County Department of Health, Second Chance Foods, Putnam Community Action Program, and SPACE on Ryder Farm.
As the cost of living increases in Putnam County, wages cannot keep up, and the recent economic downturn has exacerbated the problem, local officials said. According to the United Way, 28 percent of households in the county struggle to meet basic daily needs.
“We know the solutions to food insecurity lie within our network of dedicated food system organizations and engaged citizens, but we needed a way to come together to better amplify ideas and resources,” said Becca Ligrani, head of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam. “We are elated to receive this funding which will support the development of the Putnam County Food System Coalition. The coalition will seek community input and direction as we conduct a community food assessment to identify opportunities for building a more food secure Putnam.”
To read the full executive summary of this new project visit http://putnam.cce.cornell.edu/food-nutrition.
For more information about the United Way A.L.I.C.E. report, visit their website: https://www.uwwp.org/alice/.
