Apply to take part in FreshConnect CSA for SNAP Grant Program

–By New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball announced that New York organizations may now apply for the latest round of the FreshConnect CSA for SNAP program. This program will help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants in New York gain increased access to weekly shares of fresh, locally grown produce through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiatives by covering up to half the cost for recipients, while encouraging purchase of local product that supports New York’s farmers and producers. FreshConnect CSA for SNAP is one component of Governor Kathy Hochul’s goal to boost demand for New York agricultural products, bolster New York’s food supply chain, and ensure all New Yorkers have access to fresh, local foods.

Commissioner Ball said, “All New Yorkers deserve access to fresh, nutritious foods, grown right here in New York State. The FreshConnect CSA for SNAP program is a great example of connecting the dots between our farmers and our consumers, helping to ensure that New Yorkers using SNAP can access CSA shares full of delicious locally grown produce. This program feeds our families and supports our farmers, and I encourage eligible organizations to consider applying.”

The FreshConnect CSA for SNAP program helps SNAP participants working with awarded organizations better access CSA shares. Funding provided to eligible applicants, such as not-for-profit organizations, Indian tribal organizations, public educational institutions, and local or municipal governments will partially subsidize the cost of weekly CSA shares sold to SNAP participants, lowering the cost to consumers while still purchasing the food from the farmer at full price. Up to 50% of the cost of a weekly share purchased by a SNAP recipient with their SNAP benefits may be paid by awarded organizations through this program.

Awards for this opportunity will be made on a rolling basis until funds are depleted. A total of $250,000 in funding is available through this Request for Applications. Applications may request a minimum of $25,000 and a maximum of $50,000 for the project to be considered.

Applications must be submitted by 3:00 pm on July 22, 2025. To provide an overview of the program for potential applicants, a webinar was held on March 18, 2025. A recording of the webinar is available at meetny-gov.webex.com/meetny-gov/ldr.php?RCID=355d6897dfbdedfc540bc9b2972269f7.

Learn more at agriculture.ny.gov/rfa-0367-freshconnect-csa-snap-program-2025.

Guidelines for PYO Farms during the COVID-19 Pandemic

From Cornell University:

U-Pick is a critical direct marketing approach for many of our farms and provides customers with a unique connection to fresh produce grown close to home. In light of what we understand about the spread of COVID-19, new management practices will be needed to protect your farm team and your customers. This document provides recommended practices and communication strategies for U-Pick operations for the 2020 season.

These actions will help protect you and your team as well as reassure customers that you are taking steps to protect them and the produce you grow.

Read the article here. Then download a printable version of Cornell’s “Best Management Practices for U-Pick Farms during the COVID-19 Pandemic” that you can share with your staff.

Looking for information on protecting staff and customers in your farm store? Read these articles from NYS Ag and Markets.

1. Guidance for Cleaning Retail Food Stores (issued in conjunction with the New York State Department of Health)

2. Guidance for Home Delivery 

3. Guidance for Protecting Vulnerable Populations 

New York State Berry Industry Competitive Analysis

This document research group of Dr. Miguel Gómez at Cornell University’s Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, in collaboration with the New York State Berry Growers Association, presents this bulleted analysis of the berry industries in New York State, as well as detailed figures supporting the analysis.

Looking to Boost Exposure for Your Farm? Try Taste NY

With the growing season on the horizon, now is the time to look into opportunities to showcase your fruit outside the confines of your farm or typical farmers’ market appearances. Eighteen Taste NY market locations at service areas on the New York State Thruway will soon be open to visitors, and offer potential exposure to more than 200 million travelers who might not otherwise be able to try your products. Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office reports that sales of food products at Taste NY markets topped $13 million in 2017.

On the value of participating Taste NY, State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball says, “Taste NY farmers’ markets give our regional Thruway Service Areas a unique flavor and provide our farmers with a great opportunity to connect directly with new consumers. I encourage New York’s producers to consider participating this upcoming season and give travelers a chance to taste our agricultural products that are among the best in the world.”

View a list of participating service areas. To learn more about selling your fruit through Taste NY markets, e-mail TravelersServices@thruway.ny.gov.

About Taste NY

The Taste NY initiative has seen steady growth and recognition since it was created in 2013 by Governor Cuomo. The program reported sales of $1.5 million in 2014, tripled those figures to $4.5 million in 2015, and $13.1 million in 2016. Taste NY, which is overseen by the Department of Agriculture and Markets, has created opportunities for local producers to showcase their goods at a variety of venues throughout the State and at large public events, such as the Great New York State Fair and the Barclays Tournament at Bethpage State Park. It has also helped the farms and companies participating in the program to reach more customers, increase online sales, and, in many cases, expand the processing capacity of their business. Taste NY’s food and beverage businesses also support the State’s farmers by using New York grown and produced ingredients in their products.

Today, New York products sold under Taste NY branding are available in more than 70 locations throughout the State as well as the New York State Office of Trade and Tourism in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

For more information about Taste NY, visit www.taste.ny.gov. Connect with Taste NY through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.