(WNY News Now) – Jamestown – Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Grow Chautauqua program is flourishing, delivering fresh, locally sourced produce to underserved communities while supporting local farmers.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County is celebrating the success and expansion of its Grow Chautauqua program, a pilot initiative funded by the USDA and New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets under the New York Food for New York Families (NYFFNYF) initiative.

Launched on June 12th, the program partners with various food access organizations and community groups to distribute fresh, local produce and food products directly to community members at no cost. Weekly distributions are held at the Jamestown Mobile Market, Chautauqua County Rural Ministries, Ripley Public Library, and through the Office for the Aging’s Local Roots program.

To date, Grow Chautauqua has distributed over 50,000 pounds of locally grown, raised, and produced goods across Jamestown, Dunkirk, Ripley, and surrounding areas. The NYFFNYF program ensures that farmers and food producers are compensated at full market value for all products, which are then delivered to low-food access areas—regions where residents face challenges in accessing fresh, local produce due to factors like transportation, cost, age, or race.

Participating farms and businesses include Yerico Farms, Roberto Fred Farms, Bit-o-Breeze Farm, and Sunshine Honey, among many others. Farmers deliver their produce to Brigiotta’s Farmland Produce & Garden Center, where it is packaged for distribution. Abers Acres handles packaging for the Local Roots program, while other items such as beef, cheese, fresh bread, and honey are distributed on a rotating basis.

Beginning August 7th, the program will expand to provide bi-weekly distributions at Friendship Baptist Church in Dunkirk, offering 50 boxes of produce and food products. “The program has always been about increasing food access first,” said Linnea Haskin, Community Food System Coordinator. “Partnering with Friendship Baptist church will further expand the reach, while helping CCE and local farmers better understand how to best serve communities, particularly those made vulnerable due to poverty, age, race or geographic location.”

Local farmers also benefit from the program. Derek Yerico of Yerico Farms noted, “It’s a win-win… helps the community but also gets [the farm] nice orders… like many, this year has been tough. We are honored and thankful to be a part of [the program].”

Community members can receive a Grow Chautauqua box weekly at no cost, with no ID or income requirements. Distributions are first come, first served at various locations including the Jamestown Mobile Market, Friendship Baptist Church, Chautauqua County Rural Ministries, and Ripley Public Library. For more information, visit the Chautauqua Grown map at the Cornell Cooperative Extension website.