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local foods.

Southern Tier West received a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to enhance local food efforts across the southern tier region.  The program demonstrates the nutritional, economical, and environmental benefits of consuming locally grown produce and locally made goods.  Program activities include maintaining the 'Local Foods: From the Ground Up' website that list the producers and farmers markets with their product and contact information; providing education and outreach to consumers and producers to expand and develop the local food system in our region; and providing support for creation of community gardens in the region.

Butcher Apprenticeship Progam

Over 30 stakeholders gathered for a critical Roundtable Discussion addressing the shortage of skilled and modern trained butchers. A diverse 10-person panel, representing meat animal producers, processors, workforce development, Cornell Cooperative Extension, academia, and economic development, discussed the significant challenges and negative impacts of this shortage on farms and processing businesses.

Key Takeaways: The butcher workforce shortage has led to decreased availability of locally produced meat for retail, wholesale, and institutional buyers. A proposed solution is to develop an apprentice training program leading to journeyman certification, professionalizing butchery as a viable and wellpaying career path.

Next Steps: Collaboration with the NYS Dept. of Labor, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and local academic institutions is underway to:

• Develop the training and apprenticeship program
• Engage host sites for apprentices
• Recruit the first training cohort

Contact Kimberly LaMendola, Regional Economic Development Coordinator
716-945-5301 Ext. 2211 / E-mail

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Visit our Local Foods Website at https://www.freshlocalwny.org/