About

Our Mission

The Food & Health Network (FaHN) is an eight-county coalition of diverse stakeholders working to build food-secure communities and a thriving, healthy, regional food system through collaboration. The Food and Health Network is a program of the nonprofit Rural Health Network of South Central NY, whose mission is to advance the health and wellbeing of rural people and communities.

FaHN supports programs and policies that bridge connections between local agriculture, food access and healthcare so that all community members have access to nutritious food and local farms and businesses remain viable for many years to come.

Our network takes an interdisciplinary, systematic, and regional approach to impact South Central New York’s food system.

2019 YEAR IN REVIEW      2018 YEAR IN REVIEW     2017 YEAR IN REVIEW 2016 YEAR IN REVIEW

“Working with the Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program has given me hands-on knowledge of the impact food security has on everyday lives. Participants have expressed a combination of relief and gratitude in being able to provide fresh fruits and vegetables for themselves and their family members.”

Rachel Mischler
Registered Dietitian, Lourdes Hospital

“We really enjoy supporting different groups that help us accomplish one of our core-founding missions: To have our food be accessible to everyone that wants it. Working with the Food & Health Network is really great because it helps us reach more people and support the local food system in general.”

Stephanie Roberts
Shared Roots Farm, McGraw, NY

Growing Farm to School

Now proudly serving 29 school districts throughout South Central New York, we have helped established:

 

  • 36
    Different kinds of New York State fruits and vegetables featured in school meals since 2018
  • 55
    Taste tests with over 6,500 students since 2021
  • 13
    Unique partnerships with New York farmers and vendors since 2018

Building Volunteer Capacity

  • 200+
    Volunteers recruited to support programs that increase access to nutritious food in Broome, Tioga, and Otsego Counties
  • 3
    Community cafes held in Binghamton and Johnson City
  • 3
    Poverty simulations hosted at Binghamton University

Building Volunteer Capacity

  • 200+
    Volunteers recruited to support programs that increase access to nutritious food in Broome, Tioga, and Otsego Counties
  • 3
    Community cafes held in Binghamton and Johnson City
  • 3
    Poverty simulations hosted at Binghamton University

Linking Food Access and Healthcare Innovation

  • 80
    Individuals completed the FVRx program
  • $16,000
    Spent on local food
  • 12
    participating primary care offices

Stay up to date

Sign up for the Food and Health Network E-Newsletter and we’ll keep you posted on all of our work and opportunities to take action and attend events!