ACTION RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL ARI IS CONDUCTING A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR A COMMUNITYBASED INITIATIVE FOCUSED ON INCREASING LOCAL FOOD PURCHASING WITHIN THE TRICORNER REGION OF NEW YORK CONNECTICUT AND MASSACHUSETTS. THE PROJECT AIMS TO EXPAND THE MARKET FOR REGIONAL GROWERS AND IMPROVE ACCESS TO LOCALLY SOURCED FOODS BY HOUSEHOLDS INCLUDING THOSE THAT ARE LOWER INCOME. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE A MARKETPLACE ASSESSMENT AN ANALYSIS OF TECHNOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS AND LIMITATIONS DEVELOPMENT OF TARGETED MARKETING STRATEGIES AND RECRUITMENT OF REGIONAL GROWERS. ARI WILL ALSO ASSESS STAFFING REQUIREMENTS IDENTIFY POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES WITH ORGANIZATIONS LIKE Q FARMS AND THE GLYNWOOD CENTER FOR REGIONAL FOOD AND FARMING AND GENERATE A FINANCIAL MODEL TO EVALUATE THE EARNINGS GAP ASSOCIATED WITH AFFORDING LOCAL FOOD. THE PROJECT WILL DEVELOP A PROPOSED SLIDING SCALE PROGRAM TO ADDRESS FOOD AFFORDABILITY AND A DETAILED PLAN FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION TO RESULT IN A MEASURABLE INCREASE OF LOCALLY PRODUCED FOOD AVAILABLE AND A MORE VIABLE SYSTEM SUPPORTING REGIONAL FOOD BUSINESSES.