The annual meeting of the Adirondack Food Systems Network took place in Lake Placid on Monday, Sept. 8, as new and returning members discussed ways to optimize resources to improve life in the region.

AFSN is the food policy council for 12 North Country counties. In addition to advocating for food policies at the state level, AFSN brings together a coalition of nonprofits, farmers and health organizations who work together to examine the food system and work towards making it more equitable and sustainable.

AFSN Director Josh Stephani said these discussion began around the coronavirus pandemic, but the situation has only become more urgent and complicated. There were emerging health disparities related to access to healthy food, and a clear need for increased economic vitality in the region.

Stephani said the system was never repaired, and it is just as important as ever to advocate for the needs of North Country farmers and consumers. He said AFSN is often one of the only people at the table talking about rural needs.

The coalition also tries to keep a bird’s eye view on the entire food system, something that can be difficult for nonprofits who are subject to the whims of grant availability and have to approach things on a more project-by-project basis.

“Sometimes I feel like we’re reactive because we’re always waiting for this money to come through,” said Jon Ignatowski, manager of food systems business at the Adirondack North Country Association. “More than ever, now is the time to be proactive, and that’s what AFSN is here for, especially with our social safety nets eroding.”

In light of federal funding changes — including the elimination of key programs and grants that rural areas rely on — AFSN has a renewed sense of urgency.

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Future focus

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A primary goal of AFSN is to build a stronger network of people who have expertise in the food system, as well as areas that are adjacent to it, like health. Many people in the room on Monday expressed a need to put the specific abilities and expertise of each organization to work in the most efficient way possible — there’s no point in duplicating efforts when you can partner with someone who is already doing the work well.

Another focus for the coming year is to support the emergency food sector. This is only a slice of what AFSN is about — Stephani said the network is interested in building a stronger and more resilient system in addition to responding to emergency needs. However, the needs of emergency food organizations are front-of-mind right now.

Stephani is also focused on connecting AFSN, and its members, to the work of other food policy networks around the state. They’ve applied for grants to support this effort, he said.

“All doing the same thing On the policy side, AFSN has a number of priorities. They are advocating for the state to fully fund the Nourish Mew York and the Hunger Prevention Nutrition Assistance programs.

Stephani said there is also an immediate need to continue the Farm to School Grant program and to fill the gaps in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to raise the minimum benefit amount, which dropped to $23 per month after pandemic emergency allotments.

Other efforts, including climate resiliency programs, are key to long-term resiliency, Stephani said.

“We need to respond to the immediate crisis, but we also need to think long-term,” he said. “Those are actual income drivers, those have a return on investment — they’re not just wasted dollars.”

To learn more about AFSN and its member organizations, visit adkfoodsystem.org.