News Release 

Date: Feb. 29, 2008

Contact: Rebecca Schuelke, communication specialist
Telephone: (315) 453-3823 extension 103
Cell phone: (315) 427-2714
Email: rschuelke@nyfvi.org


Farm to School project seeks Hudson-Mohawk area farmers


Farmers and school cafeteria directors can discuss opportunities for selling local produce to schools in the Hudson-Mohawk area at a series of workshops planned for March.

Farmers interested in opening or expanding markets for their produce should attend, said meeting organizers with the Hudson-Mohawk Resource Conservation Development Council, a nonprofit group that promotes economic development in rural communities.

Food service directors will talk about their schools' specific interests in buying local produce. Attend either meeting:

- 11:30 a.m. March 6 at Iroquois Middle School in Niskayuna, hosted by Food Service Director Debbie Mahan

- Noon March 19 at Ichabod Crane Middle School in Valatie, hosted by Food Service Director Todd DiGrigoli

Farmers will share a school lunch with food service decision makers, and then tour the school’s food storage and preparation facilities.

The workshops are part of an ongoing Farm to School program sponsored by the Hudson Mohawk Resource Conservation and Development Council and funded through a grant from the New York Farm Viability Institute. The Institute is a state funded and farmer-led nonprofit group that funds research to help farmers increase profits.

There is no cost to attend the workshops but participants are required to register by calling Hudson Mohawk RC&D Farm to School Coordinator Jill Eisenstein at (914) 325-2948.




New York Farm Viability Institute is an independent, farmer-led nonprofit organization that directs and funds farm-level research to increase profits, reduce costs and other barriers, create jobs and encourage practical innovation on the farm. The Institute receives funds from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Visit www.nyfvi.org.