A central New York initiative that will benefit two Cayuga County school districts has been awarded $5 million through the state's farm-to-school program.
The Onondaga County Health Department will receive the grant for a venture to connect schools with New York-grown food at the Central New York Regional Market in Syracuse. Russo Produce will operate an expanded distribution center and warehouse, while Upstate New York Growers & Packers will operate a processing facility.
According to Gov. Kathy Hochul's office, the project will benefit school districts in the region and provide meeting and office spaces for farms in central New York.
Auburn and Southern Cayuga are among the 12 school districts that will be supported by the new initiative. The other school districts involved in the project are Syracuse, Baldwinsville, Cazenovia, Fayetteville-Manlius, LaFayette, Liverpool, Marcellus, Sandy Creek, Syracuse Academy of Sciences and West Genesee.
"Ensuring our schools have the equipment they need to cook from scratch and use ingredients made by our farmers and producers is a crucial component of getting New York food directly into our communities," state Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball said.
The funding for the central New York initiative is provided through the state Regional School Food Infrastructure program, which is administered by the state Department of Agriculture and Markets.
Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon credited the county health department, along with food access partners, for working to secure the grant.
"Thanks to their successful efforts, we will be able to expand our efforts exponentially while also investing in our historic regional market," he said.
Government reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 664-4631 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on X @RobertHarding.
