The goal of CCE nassaus eat local - shop local promotion program is to spread awareness of the benefits eating and shopping locally-grown and sourced foods has on individuals, local businesses, and…

This $145,149.77 federal Project Grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service on September 30, 2024 will fund the "Eat Local - Shop Local Promotion Program" under the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (CFDA 10.175). The program aims to increase awareness of the benefits of eating and shopping for locally-grown and sourced foods among the 1 million residents of Nassau County, New York. Key activities include branding and marketing the CCE Nassau Farmers Market, developing a website and social media campaign to promote the market and local farms, and implementing educational programming to teach the public about the importance of supporting the local food system. A focus will be placed on engaging low-income communities in these efforts. The grant will support the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County, a non-profit small agricultural cooperative, in carrying out these objectives over a 2-year project period ending on September 29, 2026.

The goal of CCE nassaus eat local - shop local promotion program is to spread awareness of the benefits eating and shopping locally-grown and sourced foods has on individuals, local businesses, and communities, and will serve to support the promotion of the CCE nassau farmers market, as well as other avenues for long islanders to access farm fresh and local food and goods. The CCE nassau farmers market is located in a major park in the center of nassau county, which comprises of 1 million residents of varying ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. The market provides residents throughout the county with access to locally grown and sourced food and goods, and a location for local businesses to promote their goods. In order to further our mission, the project will aid in the branding of the market and the design production of signs, merchandise, and other marketing materials. A key component will be the creation of a website and social media campaign designed to promote the CCE nassau farmers market and its vendors, along with other local farmers markets and farms. The program will also aid in the development and implementation of programming at the market geared at educating the public on the importance and benefits of eating and supporting local, and how residents can do so. Being located in a diverse area, special focus will be placed on promoting the farmers market and developed eat local - shop local resources to members of low income communities.