Nourishing Community, Creating Opportunities

We are committed to promoting food sovereignty by fostering agency and participation in our local food system, particularly for traditionally marginalized communities in Saratoga County. We prioritize efforts to ensure that everyone, especially those facing food insecurity or with limited access to nutritious food, has the knowledge, resources, and power to grow, choose, and share their own food. Current initiatives include produce and plant donations, culinary education, gardening support, Food as Medicine initiatives, volunteer engagement, program scholarships, and multi-tiered collaborations with local health and social service organizations.

Why Food Sovereignty Matters

Food insecurity in the New York Capital Region has surged well beyond pre-pandemic levels, placing immense strain on food banks and local support systems. Organizations on the frontlines are struggling to meet increasing demand while navigating rising food and fuel costs.

The resilience of the local food system and access to fresh, whole foods directly impact health, economic prospects, and educational outcomes across a lifetime. Pitney Meadows is committed to addressing this imperative through our pivotal programs:

Produce Donations and Cooking Classes: Cultivating Nutrient-Rich Futures

Our produce donation program partners with over a dozen regional food pantries and community centers, providing approximately 21,000 pounds of fresh, nutrient-dense produce annually. Valued at an estimated $90,000, these donations provide around 120,000 servings of nutrient-dense produce to our community across the county. With continued investment in our farm, this impact can continue to grow, reflecting the Farm's ongoing commitment to addressing food insecurity and supporting our community. In addition to our produce donations, our Harvest Cooking Classes bring hands-on cooking sessions directly to our partner hunger relief agencies. These classes, held alongside our produce donations, make it easy for participants to learn new ways to prepare the seasonal ingredients they receive from our fields.

"Through partnerships with organizations like Pitney Meadows, we’ve been able to provide fresh produce with every meal package. Pitney Meadows has also allowed us to distribute a greater variety of produce. Participants were really excited to be able to try new types of  produce, incorporate new recipes, and introduce it to their families for the first time.”

—Angelo S. Calbone, LifeWorks Community Services Program Director

Food as Medicine: A Path to Healthier, Thriving Communities

In partnership with the Saratoga Hospital Community of Excellence, we’re launching a groundbreaking Food as Medicine (FAM) pilot program in Saratoga County, building on the success of the Nutrition Rx program, a five-year partnership between the Saratoga Community Health Center and Pitney Meadows. Thanks to funding from the international nonprofit Health Care Without Harm, this initiative will improve access to fresh, locally-sourced, health-promoting food for individuals facing chronic health conditions and food insecurity.

Through the Saratoga County FAM pilot program, together with local partners, we’re working to make food a powerful tool for health prevention and management, while also promoting sustainability and economic growth within the local farming community. 

“The Nutrition Rx program has been life-changing. I've lost 50 pounds, learned to cook healthier meals, and now share my newfound knowledge with others.”

-Nutrition Rx Client

Sovereign Gardens Initiative: Cultivating Change from the Ground Up

Our Sovereign Gardens Initiative (SGI), originally funded through a grant from New York State, addresses local food insecurity by empowering community-based organizations to grow their own food. We provide compost, plant starts, and technical gardening support to seven partners, equipping their staff, clients, and volunteers with the knowledge and tools to establish sustainable food production systems on-site. By fostering these partnerships, we help create lasting infrastructure for local food access, enhancing self-sufficiency and resilience for individuals, families, and communities in need.

Current Sovereign Gardens Partners: RISE Housing and Support Services, The Guardian House with Veterans & Community Housing Coalition (VCHC), Raymond Watkin Apartments, Shelters of Saratoga, Saratoga Community Health Center, Shenendehowa Helping Hands Food Pantry, Backstretch Employee Service Team, Jefferson Terrace 

“Being able to care for the donated garden played a pivotal role in reminding me of who I was and who I still am. As the plants grew, so did my self-confidence. It was the first time in a long time that I felt useful and proud of myself. And when the time came to harvest, eating vegetables I helped grow was incredibly rewarding to both my mental health and my stomach. Without the generosity of Pitney Meadows, I feel that my journey back to myself would have been a lot slower and less fun.” 

- RISE Sovereign Garden caretaker and house guest 

Support and Scholarships: Growing Together, Sharing Abundance

We believe that food sovereignty is not just a vision but an action plan and a collective commitment. Join us in this endeavor as we nurture communities, foster opportunity, and cultivate a future where everyone has access to nutritious, locally sourced food. Together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of those who need it most.

“At our core, we grow good food and share it with everyone we can. We want everyone here in our local food system to have access to the best food, to have the opportunity to join in the wonderful work of growing, preparing, and enjoying our delicious, nutritious, beautiful produce.” 

 

-Daniel Williams, Food Sovereignty and Farm Engagement Coordinator