FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: December 14, 2022
Contact: Audrey Schwartzberg, ANCA Communications Officer, [email protected],
518.891.6200
Tupper Lake Food Hub Awarded $500K Grant Through USDA
ADK Food Hub to expand local food production, distribution and access
TUPPER LAKE, N.Y. — North Country farmers and food producers will soon be able to access shared
regional processing facilities, distribution services and marketing opportunities, thanks to a successful
grant proposal from The Hub, also known as the ADK Food Hub, in Tupper Lake, N.Y. The Adirondack
North Country Association (ANCA) announced the small farm and food hub has been awarded nearly
$500,000 in grant funding through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Local Food
Promotion Program.
Hub owner Cherie Whitten will use the $395,000 grant and $100,000 of largely in-kind matching funds to
provide small-scale and low-income food producers with support for production, aggregation,
distribution and marketing of local food. The project will ultimately bring more high-quality, nutritious
food to rural and low-income consumers who currently have limited access to local farm products.
“I am so pleased to have resources to help fund my passion for healthy local food production and the
related economic strength of our community,” said Whitten, who also owns and operates Whitten Family
Farm in Winthrop, N.Y. “I hope to utilize this grant to support the growth of local food production
infrastructure, focusing on crops that are the most profitable to our farmers and nutritious for our
consumers. I hope this project helps to retain a portion of the billion dollars that leaves the North
Country each year to purchase non-locally produced food. The retention of our local food dollars should
have a strong positive economic impact in our area.”
Founded by Whitten in 2017, The Hub is a local food aggregation site, market and eatery that carries
products from over 39 area farms and markets raw and processed products directly to consumers.
The goal of Whitten’s project is to provide research-based resources and technical support for small
farms and food businesses, provide aggregated processing and distribution services, and increase
community access to raw, processed and value-added local food products. The project will also provide
education and outreach to producers and consumers who would benefit from the Hub’s expansion.
ANCA Local Food Systems Program Director Adam Dewbury provided Whitten with technical support
during the grant application process. Carly Summers of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Essex County
fielded targeted questions from Whitten, and Hub employee Shannon Klein provided administrative
support.
“For years, Cherie has been working tirelessly to increase access to local food in our region, especially for
middle- and low-income residents,” said Dewbury. “This grant will be a key component in allowing her to
achieve her vision, and her project will have a significant positive impact on local communities, farmers
and our local food economy.”
Dewbury said ANCA will support Whitten’s team with capturing and reporting metrics, as well as with
aggregation mapping. He added, “This project aligns closely with several of ANCA’s strategic goals that
focus on expanding marketing opportunities and supply chain networks for North Country producers.
We’re happy to support The Hub in this important work.”
Designed to roll out over three years, the project will focus on research, planning, education and
outreach during its first year. By year two, The Hub plans to operate a full-scale commercial kitchen that
will provide skilled staff, specialized equipment and a shared space where existing and aspiring food
businesses can process and package products for market. The facility is projected to handle produce
from over 80 small farms in low-income areas and incubate at least ten new value-added food
processing businesses.
ANCA Executive Director Elizabeth Cooper said, “We applaud Cherie for her vision and hard work
developing this project and thank the USDA for supporting her efforts. The Hub’s research and facilities
expansion will go a long way in strengthening the region’s local food economy and providing aggregated
services that are critical to the survival of our rural region’s small farms and food businesses. We believe
this is a model for sustainable economic growth, where producers and consumers benefit, while
supporting a strong local food system.”
ANCA is an independent, nonprofit corporation with a transformational approach to building prosperity
across northern New York. Using innovative strategies for food systems, clean energy, small businesses,
and equity and inclusion, ANCA delivers targeted interventions that create and sustain wealth and value
in local communities.
Attached: one (1) PDF and one (1) photo
Photo: The ADK Food Hub in Tupper Lake, N.Y. has been awarded $495,000 in grant funding as part of the
USDA’s Local Food Promotion Program.
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