Cornell Farm to School Program

Becky O'Connor, Farm to School Coordinator, WNY & Finger Lakes
Harvest New York

Last Modified: November 14, 2024

The Cornell Farm to School Program provides comprehensive support to Farm to School stakeholders, including School Food Authorities, farmers, distributors, manufacturers, processors, and food hubs. The primary goal of the program is to increase the volume and variety of local farm products purchased by SFAs for use in child nutrition programs.

To achieve this goal, Harvest NY developed a plan of work centered on the following three objectives:

  1. Provide direct support to supply chain partners.
  2. Provide statewide support via resource development, training, and technical assistance to supply chain partners.
  3. Strengthen campus-to-community connections by identifying and developing opportunities for applied Farm to School research.

What we do:

  • Find local food and farm partners
  • Work with supply chain partners on logistics, including delivery
  • Develop local food procurement plans
  • Assist with bid development that favors local foods
  • Establish Farm to School promotional campaigns, like NY Thursdays and Harvest NY
  • Assist with securing grants to expand Farm to School programming
  • Support 30% NY Initiative tracking and documentation requirements


The Cornell Farm to School Program includes 7 Regional Procurement Specialists, an Education Specialist, and a Program Lead:


Statewide Program Lead | Cheryl Bilinski: cbt32@cornell.edu | (607) 592-9507

The counties listed under each Regional Coordinator are loose boundaries. If you'd like assistance and fall outside the stated counties, please reach out to Cheryl for assistance. 


Education Specialist | Kate Preston: kep98@cornell.edu | (607) 788-4188

Kate works to strengthen Farm to School collaborations among cafeterias, classrooms, and communities.


Lower Hudson Valley | Putnam, Rockland, Orange, and Westchester Counties

Kristy Apostolides: kda4@cornell.edu | (845) 429-7085, ext. 106

 

Upper Hudson Valley | Sullivan, Ulster, Dutchess, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, and Delaware Counties

Katie Sheehan-Lopez: kms369@cornell.edu | (845) 340-3990, ext. 334


Western NY | Erie, Chautauqua, Allegany, Genesee, Wyoming, Orleans, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, and Yates Counties

Becky O'Connor: rao84@cornell.edu | (845) 706-0293

 

Long Island | Suffolk and Nassau Counties

Amy Bly: ab2353@cornell.edu | (631) 827-1015

 

Central NY | Oswego, Onondaga, Cayuga, Oneida, Herkimer, Madison, Cortland, and Tompkins Counties

Lizzy Cooper: ec795@cornell.edu | (315) 630-0405


North Country | Franklin, Clinton, Essex, Lewis, Jefferson, and St Lawrence Counties 

Meghan Dohman: meb377@cornell.edu | (518) 791-1888

 

New York City | SJ Whelan: sw954@cornell.edu | (929) 895-2257



Cornell Farm to School Program Map (jpg; 1839KB)


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