Niagara Falls City Market, now accepting SNAP, needs an Outreach & EBT Coordinator

Niagara Falls Local Food Action Plan moving forward through Economic Development project that provides workforce opportunities and affordable food access to low-income families.

 

In an effort to make the local food system a more equitable place for all, Niagara Falls’ central and year-round market is finally going to begin accepting SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), also known as food stamps or EBT. Healthy Food Healthy People of Niagara Falls along with the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area and Create a Healthier Niagara Falls Collaborative, have partnered with the Niagara Falls City Market to make it happen. In order to ensure the successful implementation and use of the benefit program, we are looking for a Community Outreach and Market EBT Coordinator. This person will not only manage the enrollment and acceptance of SNAP customers at the market, but is also a critical touchpoint in partnering with community members to get the word out about the availability of the program at City Market.

The ideal candidate should have a passion for social and community justice, be personable and approachable, and flexible as this is a temporary and part-time role. For more information and to submit an application please read the description here.

If you have any questions, reach out to Tom Lowe, Project Director, at [email protected].

 

 

KeyBank, in partnership with the First Niagara Foundation, Awards Field & Fork Network $50,000 to Support Healthy Corner Store Initiative

Local Food Action Plan aims to bring healthy options to vulnerable neighborhoods of Niagara Falls to empower healthier food choices

Field & Fork Network has been awarded a $50,000 grant, from KeyBank in partnership with the First Niagara Foundation, to propel a healthy corner store initiative that will bring healthy food options to the Niagara Falls community, while providing technical support to store owners and nutrition education to residents. The project will be nurtured by Healthy Food Healthy People, a work group that is focused on increasing food access by strengthening the local food system. 

The grant, which gives back to First Niagara Foundation’s community roots, is part of KeyBank’s $40 billion National Community Benefits Plan which symbolizes their commitment to empowering individuals and neighborhoods through investment in programs that provide long term enhancement to their quality of life. 

 “The work that Field and Fork Network is doing to bring healthy and fresh food to all areas of our community is both important and transformational,” said Elizabeth Gurney, KeyBank Director of Corporate Philanthropy and Executive Director of the First Niagara Foundation. “We are so very supportive of their efforts and are proud to stand with them as they work to increase food access by strengthening the local food system.” 

 The healthy corner store initiative will not only encourage but give local businesses the tools to understand the importance as well as financial benefit to supporting fresh food sales. Residents will also be empowered to not only choose to eat healthy foods but have access to them, especially in those neighborhoods that may not have any other grocery options.  

 “We are so grateful for this funding from the First Niagara Foundation as it will allow for relevant stakeholders to come together to plan for and implement hyperlocal access to healthy food options in neighborhood-based corner stores, helping to alleviate transportation challenges, which is one of the largest barriers to accessing healthy food” said Tom Lowe, Project Director for the Niagara Falls Local Food Action Plan. 

 Healthy Food Healthy People started in 2013, and is comprised of over 35 community organizations and residents who have developed the Niagara Falls Local Food Action Plan to affect policy from the street up to government levels. The plan is strategically broken down into four key frameworks–agriculture, economic development, education, and healthy neighborhoods – each with several actionable and resident-driven objectives.  

 To read the full Niagara Falls Local Food Action Plan and learn how to get involved in this or the other plan goals, visit https://bit.ly/NFfoodactionplan.