Governor Coumo Launches "FreshConnect" Business Creation Program: Grants Available

The following was sent by Governor Cuomo’s' office. It relates to the launching of the "FreshConnect " program. For anyone who has been following news related to the Fresh Direct Deal, please note the subsidies and credits received by Fresh Direct, also help UPSTATE FARMERS SELL THEIR PRODUCTS. It is not just about the jobs in the Bronx but also increasing availability of food produced by upstate farmers to the Hunts Point Market and consumers Fresh Direct delivers to. The post below will help show what the Governor and his administration are up to, and how they plan on connecting the farmers and producers in upstate NY with consumers in NYC.

If you’re a food based small business, please note the grants information included in the e-mail sent below. Please note the deadlines listed.

Gregory

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“We must ensure that all of our citizens have access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food, and nothing better fits the bill than the items grown right here in our state by New York’s farmers.”

- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Governor Cuomo launched the FreshConnect program last year to create new farmers' markets and provide support to existing ones. In addition to providing farmers a consumer outlet, the FreshConnect program helped create local jobs for youth in urban areas and facilitated an increase in the sale of locally-grown food.

After the success of last year's program, the initiative is now expanding to include not just farmers' markets, but other innovative projects that connect underserved communities with New York farm products. Click here to learn more.

Potential expansion projects include:

• programs to increase access to farm products at food pantries
• delivery programs that send farm goods to areas in need
• programs for low-income individuals to access food directly from a farm
• new farmers' markets that are located in underseved neighborhoods
• satellite markets that purchase produce from an existing market and resell it in an area that cannot support its own market

Grants for potential FreshConnect projects will be awarded on a competitive basis and can be applied for here before April 2, 2012.

The FreshConnect program is helping to bridge the gap between farmers and underserved consumers, while creating local jobs and meeting the needs of all New Yorkers.

Together, we are building a new New York.