Food Justice Program

What is a Just Food System?
By making organic food available to all and making sure that it is produced in safe, fair working conditions, NOFA-NY hopes to build a sustainable, and just, food system. 
 
A truly sustainable food system is generally defined as one that is economically viable, environmentally sound, and socially just.  This has implications not only for how the food is produced but, ultimately, who has access to food that is free from dangerous pesticides, hormones, and additives which contributes to the thriving of local economies and ecologies.
 
Today, the Food Justice Movement has come into its own as a movement that critically addresses a legacy of historic racism and the structural inequities created by decisions that were made in the food system. A history of noninvestment in grocery stores and healthy food infrastructure has resulted in urban and rural neighborhoods that don’t have access to safe and healthy food year-round. 

 
Food Justice at NOFA-NY 
In the fall of 2009, NOFA-NY secured funding from Heifer, International to develop a program of work that educates new organic farmers and makes more organic food available in traditionally underserved communities. In addition, there were some funds to provide support to regional efforts in community food policy and food planning. 

Now food Justice is an active part of NOFA-NY’s strategic planning. Ultimately, NOFA-NY hopes that, as a membership organization, its membership fully represents the diverse and thriving organic movement – making the tools and the harvest of organic farming available to all in New York State. 

 
New Food Justice Programs
NOFA-NY currently is working on two new Food Justice Programs that highlight this commitment!
  • Neighborhood Farm Share
    NOFA-NY has received funding to develop a program for western New York, inspired by Just Food’s successful low-income CSA model. NOFA-NY will focus on Rochester in the first year of implementation before bringing its program to other parts of the state.
    Read more about this project HERE
     
     
  • AJP Fair Trade
    NOFA-NY will pilot a local Fair Trade label for small direct-sales farms that use sustainable, ecological growing practices and ensure fair compensation for themselves and their workers. 
    Read more about this project HERE.


Food Justice Resources