Good food feeds futures.
Since its founding, Field & Fork Network has been dedicated to fueling change across New York State’s food landscape. What started as a vision to connect communities with fresh, local food has grown into a movement, building resilient food systems that nourish people, strengthen local economies, and empower future generations. Explore our journey and see how Field & Fork Network continues to shape a more just, sustainable food future.
Our Story
What began in 2009 with regional conferences and seasonal suppers in Western New York has steadily transformed into a statewide commitment.
Field & Fork Network continuously tends our shared food system by connecting producers, sellers, and the public to ensure agricultural businesses thrive and everyone has access to local, affordable produce that contributes to community wellbeing, from Lake Erie to Albany to Long Island.
Collaboratively growing a sustainable food system requires a dynamic, methodical, multi-generational, ground-up approach. From farms to the kitchen table to the classroom, Field & Fork Network is an ally to everyone involved who makes food work—those who grow it, those who sell it, those who need it, and those who recognize the power it has to create life-changing, sustainable impacts.
In the field, we work with generational farms to access state and federal funds and provide guidance and resources to aspiring growers. In neighborhoods, we work with community leaders to develop strategic action plans, informed by residents, to eliminate physical and economic barriers to accessing healthy food.
At the table, Double Up Food Bucks helps striving families purchase fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. And in schools, our Urban Seeds programs inspire the next generation to understand the food system and the vital role they play in shaping our shared future.
Together, we are not only inspiring and supporting a vibrant culture around food; we’re cultivating a purpose-filled food system that puts people first—farm by farm, neighborhood by neighborhood, family by family, person by person.
Our Mission
Field & Fork Network connects communities to innovative food solutions that foster a sustainable food system.
Our Vision
Field & Fork Network connects communities to innovative food solutions that foster a sustainable food system.
Our Values
Your Title Goes Here
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Equity-Minded
We honor unique identities and perspectives with dignity.
Forward Thinking
We turn ideas into long lasting solutions.
Collaborative
We incorporate diverse voices and ideas.
Our History
THE BEGINNING
Host the first regionalFarmer-Chef Conference– attracts a sold-out crowd of local farmers, chefs, food buyers and stakeholders.
ANNUAL FARMER-CHEF CONFERENCES
HostAnnual Farmer-Chef Conferencesas a way to catalyze business relationships and drive economic development in the local food and ag sectors.
FOOD MASTER FILM SERIES & SEASONAL SUPPERS
Begin engaging the broader community about our food system through education –Food Matters Film Seriesand authentic farm-to-table dinners –Seasonal Suppers– connecting consumers to where their food comes from.
FOOD HUB FEASIBILITY STUDY & ACTION PLAN
We lead a collaborative effort for a feasibility study to determine local capacity for scaling up of local produce production through a regional food hub.
LAUNCH OF DOUBLE UP FOOD BUCKS NY
A nutrition incentive program.
WESTERN NEW YORK FOOD HUB
Incubated within Eden Valley Growers – is open for business.
FIRST MULTI-YEAR USDA GRANT RECIEVED
Awarded first multi-yearUSDA National Institute of Food & Agriculture’s Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant– propels Double Up Food Bucks NY to sites all across Western NY region.
NIAGARA FALLS LOCAL FOOD ACTION PLAN
Member of steering committee for a landmark planning effort to address food access and economic development. Becomesofficial food plan for the city of Niagara Falls.
STATEWIDE SERVING NONPROFIT
Change Articles of Incorporation tobecome a statewide serving non-profit.
DOUBLE UP FOOD BUCKS NY GROWS EXPONENTIALLY
Federal and state investments inDouble Up Food Bucks NYfuels exponential program growth to numerous sites across NY State during the Covid-19 pandemic.
LAUNCH AMERICORPS VISTA PROGRAM
Launch ourAmeriCorps Vistasto assist with rural and urban outreach for Double Up Food Bucks NY.
NIAGARA FALLS CITY MARKET MANAGEMENT
Take over management of theCity Market of Niagara Falls– to help revitalize a key food access asset serving the residents of the city.
ACTION RESEARCH COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP
Establish partnership withCornell University’s Action Research Collaborative– to evaluate our impact in those communities we serve.