Food Systems
ANCA’s Local Food Systems Program is strengthening food systems in order to drive economic growth, sustain regional farms and food businesses and increase access to local food. We work closely with farmers, food entrepreneurs and regional partners to identify gaps in the regional food system and provide opportunities for learning and growth.
Access to Financing
The SOIL Loan Fund — a collaboration between ANCA and Foodshed Capital — provides flexible financing to small farm and food businesses to help them grow, increase their long term stability, and strengthen food system security. The revolving loan fund supports producers who have difficulty accessing financing through conventional programs due to challenges inherent in small-scale farming.
Technical Assistance
ANCA’s Local Food Systems Program connects farms and businesses with free and low-cost technical assistance to help build stability and plan for the future. Utilizing expertise and technical services provided by ANCA’s Center for Pandemic Response (ANCA CPR) and partners, our team supports businesses and nonprofits with strategic planning, digital marketing, succession planning, workplace communication and more.
Supply Chains
ANCA works with partner organizations, farmers and food producers across the North Country to build a more efficient and sustainable food supply chain that increases farm stability and food security.
Market Support
As the host organization for the High Peaks Farmers’ Market in Saranac Lake and Lake Placid, ANCA strives to support North Country farms and small businesses, increase local food access and cultivate welcoming experiences for residents and visitors. ANCA also is working with partners to expand and develop regional markets for local producers.
Climate Smart Commodities
ANCA is using our federal Climate-Smart Commodities grant to help North Country farmers diversify their operations while implementing farming practices that improve land, water and air quality across the region.
Bike the Barns
Bike the Barns is a fully supported recreational road cycling tour that highlights the rich agricultural movement of the North Country. Riders are invited to stop at farm stops along the route to connect with the producers who are driving our region’s local food revolution. The ride culminates with a finish line celebration complete with local food, beverages and live music.
Featured Story
Building a Chop Shop
ANCA SOIL Loan recipients Katie and Bandon Donahue have been farming together since 2007 and established Donahue’s Livestock Farm in North Bangor, N.Y. in 2016. Their loan project — Donahue’s Chop Shop — marks a significant step in the evolution of their farm operation as they will soon be able to provide more local meat for more customers, including vulnerable members of their community. The Donahues are using their zero-percent interest loan to grow their business while increasing local food access, particularly for low-income households. Brandon and Katie are renovating and purchasing equipment for their own specialty butcher shop, where...
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