Food Security
The Hudson Valley stands as a beacon of food culture, boasting an abundant harvest throughout the seasons from its fertile lands, exquisite restaurants, and a globally renowned culinary school.
However, alongside these riches, our region grapples with significant challenges in food security. In Dutchess County, one in fourteen people faces food insecurity. In Ulster County, the number rises to one in ten. Escalating food prices, driven by inflation and other factors, have surged ahead of wage increases.
Efforts for Food Security Led by Community Foundations
850,000
Pounds of Food, per Year, Combating Food Security in the Region
FeedHV Community Food Network
Second Chance Foods
Over 100
Collaborating Organizations Working on More Equitable Foodways
Hudson Valley Food System Coalition
FeedHV Community Food Network
Over $4M
Grants Awarded for Food Pantries, Fresh Produce, Foodways, and Education.
Farm Fresh Food Initiatives
Cornell Cooperative Extension
$1.3 million
Of Locally Grown Produce, Eggs, Meats, Sourced From Local Farms,
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Second Chance Foods
850,000
Pounds of Food Connected to People in Need.
Second Chance Foods
How We Work with You
Strong start: With donations of any dollar amount to one of our competitive award funds, we can provide more support for food security throughout Dutchess, Putnam, and Ulster Counties.
For even greater and more personal impact: We can open and manage your donor-advised fund of $5,000 or more to support your charitable giving over multiple years. Your contributions grow tax-free under the stewardship of expert investment managers, and if you are unsure where to contribute, our team of grantmaking professionals can offer suggestions. For a distinct philanthropic legacy that will last beyond your lifetime, we can also work with you to create an endowed fund of $25,000 or more benefiting the community’s greatest needs, a field of interest, or one or more specific nonprofits.
How You Can Help
When you partner with the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley to support more arts engagement and enjoyment, your donations can make a difference in so many ways:
- Low-income families and individuals.
- Funding for mobile food pantries to serve remote or underserved areas.
- Partnerships with local farms to rescue surplus produce and distribute it to those in need.
- Programs that provide meals to children during school holidays and summer breaks.
- Support for community gardens that grow food specifically for local food banks.
- Improving the infrastructure of local food banks, such as storage and refrigeration capabilities.
Join Us in Shaping the Future
Your support can provide the resources for nonprofit organizations with missions that support food security. Together, we can build a stronger, brighter Hudson Valley.
