SOFSA Blog
New report seeks to understand and address barriers to farmer participation in Farm to School
Farm to School: Supply Chain Analysis of Producers, seeks to establish a baseline of producerparticipating in Farm to School (F2S) in Central NY, as well as identify opportunities forstrengthening producer participation and matchmaking. The project was a regional...
2nd Annual Food Justice Gathering: Recapping the day and looking ahead
On Saturday, October 26th, 2024, SOFSA hosted our second annual Food Justice Gathering at Plymouth Congregational Church in downtown Syracuse. Organized around the theme of “Cultivating Resilience,” the Gathering was inspired by the thoughtful organizing–both...
2024 Candidate Policy Positions
Policy-makers play a key role in uplifting our local food system so that it works for all people in Syracuse, Onondaga County, and Onondaga Nation. Through a survey, SOFSA asked this year’s election candidates about how they support a healthy Central New York food...
Syracuse Urban Garden Tour 2024
The Saturday of the Urban Garden Tour was a perfect summer day in Syracuse, NY. The sun shone through clear skies, and the day begged for laughter, for curiosity, for being outdoors. Syracuse-Onondaga residents took up the day's call and turned out to tour 13 home...
SOFSA Writes in Support of Syracuse University Union
In May of 2024, SOFSA Director Maura Ackerman wrote directly to Chancellor Kent Syverud to express SOFSA's support of Syracuse University's food service, library and facilities workers, who have been organizing to improve their working conditions and pay through union...
SOFSA Hosts Event Uniting Local Candidates with Community Members: “Community-Candidate Dialogue on Hunger, Housing, & Health”
On Thursday, June 13th, SOFSA, in collaboration with Housing & Homeless Coalition, CNY Fair Housing, Food Bank of Central New York, Jubilee Homes, Food Access Healthy Neighborhoods Now, LeadSafeCNY Coalition, and the Central New York Community Foundation, hosted a...
SOFSA’s Comment to the Army Corps of Engineers and Micron Technology
Dear Army Corps of Engineers and Micron Technology, We are submitting a comment on behalf of the Syracuse-Onondaga Food Systems Alliance, a local coalition representing the interests of food systems stakeholders Syracuse, Onondaga County, and Onondaga Nation. This...
In the news: “Leftover food could help feed hungry CNY families, but efforts not without challenges”
Spectrum News 1 highlighted the collaborative work of Seven Valleys Health Coalition, SOFSA’s Onondaga Food Rescue Network (OFRN) pilot project, and local pantry partners. Modeled off of Seven Valley Health Coalition's successful food rescue project, OFRN seeks to...
Food Justice Fund – Frequently Asked Questions
Table of Contents General Information What is community grantmaking? Where did these funds come from? How will funds be distributed? How can I contribute to the Food Justice Fund for 2025? Process & Timeline What is the expected timeline? What is the Food Justice...
SOFSA Attends Statewide Advocacy Day: “In show of bipartisan support, N.Y. lawmakers join advocates to push for universal free school meals”
Moving into 2024, one of SOFSA's policy priorities will continue to be universal free school meals. On Monday, January 29th 2024, SOFSA staff attended a statewide advocacy day with the Healthy School Meals for All Coalition in Albany. Co-led by Hunger Solutions New...