Food Systems
ANCA’s Local Food Systems Program is strengthening food systems in order to drive economic growth, sustain regional farms and food businesses and increase access to local food. We work closely with farmers, food entrepreneurs and regional partners to identify gaps in the regional food system and provide opportunities for learning and growth.
Technical Assistance
ANCA connects small businesses, farms and nonprofits with technical assistance to help build stability and plan for the future. Utilizing expertise and technical services provided by ANCA’s program staff and partners, our team supports farms and small businesses with free or low-cost services such as grant coordination and advocacy, marketing resources, and energy improvements.
Community-scale Composting
Compost for Good offers support for farmers, municipalities, food scrap haulers, compost operators, institutions and others to improve and maintain long-term soil health and reduce the amount of organic materials ending up in landfills.
Access to Financing
The SOIL Loan Fund — a collaboration between ANCA and Foodshed Capital — provides flexible financing to small farm and food businesses to help them grow, increase their long term stability, and strengthen food system security. The revolving loan fund supports producers who have difficulty accessing financing through conventional programs due to challenges inherent in small-scale farming.
Market Support
As the host organization for the High Peaks Farmers’ Market in Saranac Lake and Lake Placid, ANCA strives to support North Country farms and small businesses, increase local food access and cultivate welcoming experiences for residents and visitors. ANCA also is working with partners to expand and develop regional markets for local producers.
Climate Smart Commodities
ANCA is using our federal Climate-Smart Commodities grant to help North Country farmers diversify their operations while implementing farming practices that improve land, water and air quality across the region.
Bike the Barns
Bike the Barns is a fully supported recreational road cycling tour that highlights the rich agricultural movement of the North Country. Riders are invited to stop at farm stops along the route to connect with the producers who are driving our region’s local food revolution. The ride culminates with a finish line celebration complete with local food, beverages and live music.
Featured Story
Strategic Investments. Big Gains.
A new tractor. A few freezers. Specialty processing equipment. For many North Country farms, strategic purchases make a big difference in their immediate goals and their long-term viability. But capital to invest in those purchases is often hard to come by. That’s why ANCA partnered with Foodshed Capital in 2022 to establish the SOIL Loan Fund — a unique regional program that provides flexible, zero-interest loans to food businesses that have difficulty accessing capital through conventional loan programs. Since the Fund’s launch, many loan applicants have requested support for buying specialty equipment that would increase efficiency, productivity and profitability for...
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