ROOM AT THE TABLE - Intersight - University at Buffalo

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to preserving our region’s irreplaceable natural environments, farms,
forestlands and open space in order to maintain wildlife habitat, economic
resources, the recreation areas and the unique scenic character of WNY.”
(www.wnylc.org)
v. Two additional land­based groups: the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy
promotes and maintains six parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted,
and the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper group pools resources to protect
WNY freshwater. Both groups have community resources and land
capacity that can be shared with the agricultural sector. Thinking broadly,
other assets like The Broadway Market and Central Terminal are of note.
vi. Several examples of effective “agricultural co­ops” exist, including
groups like the Eden Valley Growers. Their business farming group was
founded in 1956 and involves about eight family­owned farms that grow,
market and distribute over 45 vegetable specialty varieties. They report
that over 60% of their vegetables are shipped to retail locations in the
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A similar group, the Field & Fork Network builds capacity for a local
food network in the eight counties of Western New York by bringing
consumers, food producers, and food buyers together through education
and outreach.
Separately, on the retail side, the Lexington Cooperative Market at 807
Elmwood Avenue illustrates a retail commitment to healthier, more local
food. Founded in 1971, this market is a membership organization that
promises the following to members and the community:
a. “Providing a natural foods grocery store in a friendly
environment,
b. “Providing education about nutrition, consumer issues, and
cooperative principles,
c. “Nurturing the local economy and the environment.”
vii. The growing forms of urban agriculture are increasing food production
within the City of Buffalo. The Massachusetts Avenue Project is a
location­based community advocacy group on the lower west side of
Buffalo (271 Grant Street), whose mission “nurtures the growth of a
diverse and equitable community food system to promote local economic
opportunities, access to affordable, nutritious food, and social­change
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education.” It is the host organization for the Growing Green initiative,
which operates “an urban agricultural training program that provides
healthy food to Buffalo communities and meaningful job training skills
to youth in Buffalo.” These groups also take participate in an evolving
task force, Buffalo Growing, that brings together a diverse group of
organizations and community members committed to promoting healthy
food access and fostering sustainable communities.
viii. When the focus is placed on individuals living in poverty, there are
public organizations that facilitate services like the Food Bank of WNY
(www.foodbankwny.org). They help to improve access to food for atrisk
populations and conduct collections, donations and related activities.
More broadly, the Hunger Action Network of New York State (www.
hungeractionnys.org) is a “statewide anti­hunger coalition that combines
grassroots organizing at the local level with state level research, education
and advocacy to address the root causes of hunger, including poverty.”
Separately, “Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities” battles such problems
as childhood obesity with local operations in communities across the
nation, including Buffalo.
G. Media Targets for Agricultural Reporting and Publicity:
In order to increase exposure for farming, it is necessary to actively engage
local news and media organizations for proper exposure and coverage. The
exposure group with the most positive coverage would be the Buffalo Convention
and Visitors Bureau, which aims to promote regional assets. They manage
www.visitbuffaloniagara.com as a premier introduction to Buffalo and WNY.
More traditionally, the leaders in print media are The Buffalo News, Business
First of Buffalo, Artvoice and subscription magazines like Buffalo Spree or
Buffalo Healthy Living. All of these publications are increasingly creating online
content to supplement their hard copy editions, and there are other online blogs
like Buffalo.com, Buffalo Rising, and WNY Media looking for timely, intelligent
content for their loyal followers.
The local TV stations are always looking for features, trends and more.
A quick listing of them includes WGRZ, WIVB, WKBW, YNN, WNED and radio
outlets WBEN and WBFO.