A Message from our President

Announcing our Next Executive Director

I am pleased to announce the next Executive Director for Rural Health Network of SCNY effective June 3rd.

Demetra Alberti has more than twenty years of experience serving people in rural areas. She is currently wrapping up her role as Resource Management Lead with the NYS Integrated Eligibility System Program overseeing an administrative team of more than 300 state and consultant workers. She held a variety of roles at Delaware Opportunities, Inc. from 2003-2021, including that of Deputy Director. Demetra’s experience in budget management, program development, human resources, and policy will be an asset to Rural Health Network.

I’d like to thank the current and former Board Members, as well as Jackie Leaf, Executive Director of neighboring Seven Valleys Health Coalition, who served on the Search Committee. The committee was led by Sharon Chesna, a founding and former board member of Rural Health Network. 

Rick Boland

Board President

2023 Impact Report

We are pleased to share our 2023 Impact Report. The report includes moments in history from our first twenty five years as well as stories of our current programs and the impact we have on people and communities in our rural region. Please click below to view the report.

The Intersection between Food, Aging, and the Economy

This issue of Rural Matters features the Food & Health Network and it is also Older Americans Month, so in the spirit of both I thought it could be informative to share some of the connections between the two:

The average age of all farmers (producers) in New York State in 2022 was 56.7 years of age, compared to 55.8 years in 2017 (2022 Census of Agriculture). There are many reasons and implications for the aging of our farmers and agricultural workforce. Suffice to say, that older New Yorkers make up a disproportionate number of farmers.

As rural residents age, there generally comes a time when they begin to limit their driving to local trips and good weather. For most, there also comes a time when they give up or can no longer drive. On average, women will live ten years after giving up driving and men seven years. For those who are still capable of living in their homes, they will need assistance accessing their groceries either by getting a ride to go shopping, delivery service or both. This can be done by family, neighbors, and friends for some, but in many cases, they may need help from others. Rural Health Network’s Northern Broome CARES program provides important food shopping services for older, homebound individuals in the Whitney Point area.

Erin Summerlee, Director of our Food & Health Network Department has helped me to better understand that the ability of many, if not most, rural residents to participate in the Produce Prescription Program requires a delivery service. This is of particular value to homebound folks, including rural residents who do not drive and families with young children. As the Produce Prescription Program plans and develops service to more rural residents, we are considering different delivery models that can make it possible for more rural seniors and others to participate in the program.

One of the small, but important contributions of the Produce Prescription Program is the positive sales and financial impact it has on local and small producers and fresh food retailers. As many rural grocery stores have closed, it becomes increasingly important to support those that remain as well as the small farms, farmer’s markets and Community Supported Agriculture businesses in our local communities. Access to fresh, healthy food for seniors and all rural residents is increased when there is a diverse and viable small farm and food retail economy.

Finally, let’s give a shout out to the Meals on Wheels and senior nutrition sites that serve our rural communities. These programs provide important food security and nutrition services for our rural seniors. The Meals on Wheels volunteers not only bring the meal but are also an important social connection for those they deliver to. Additionally, they help monitor the safety and well-being of those served through their frequent, periodic contact.

-Jack Salo

Interim Executive Director

Food and Health Network - Celebrating Milestones

Within the Food & Health Network, we often think about our work in cycles and seasons: the beginning and end of the school year; the launch of a new round of the Produce Prescription Program of South Central NY (PRxSCNY); the start of CSA distributions and cooking classes for families and young children in Early Head Start; etc. 

As we prepare to transition from spring to summer and the program cycles that follow, I am delighted to share a glimpse into the incredible work of the FaHN team. Through our produce prescription, farm to school, and farm to early care and education programs, we're not only improving access to fresh, nutritious food but also addressing root causes of health disparities and food insecurity in our communities. By empowering individuals and families to make healthier choices and fostering a deeper connection to where their food comes from, we're building a foundation for long-term health and wellness.

I’d also like to celebrate several milestones: 10th year of our Farm to School Program, 8th year of the Produce Prescription Program of South Central NY, and first year piloting Farm to Early Care & Education. All of these initiatives began as small, innovative pilots and have grown throughout the region thanks to the collaboration and dedication of so many partners. Thank you, and enjoy the articles below!

Erin Summerlee

Director - Food & Health Network

Harvesting the Future:

Navigating the Path Ahead for Farm to School

By Hannah Rion, Farm to School Coordinator

As the school year draws to a close, the Farm to School team brims with anticipation for what lies ahead! Summer becomes our planning season, where preparations for the upcoming school year take center stage. We engage in frequent communications with the producers we collaborate with, conduct check-ins with our school garden grantees, and convene planning meetings with our core partners. Much of our essential work unfolds behind the scenes during these warm months.

As Farm to School Coordinator, I engage in ongoing dialogues with our farms and producers regarding the products schools plan to procure for the fall and the remainder of the school year. These discussions delve into delivery logistics and considerations about whether the growing season might impact the yield of any crops slated for the menu. Meanwhile, many of our South Central NY School Garden grantees involve their students in tending to their school gardens through summer programming, garden club meetings, or volunteer hours.

The Farm to School Program is deeply rooted in the Rural Health Network’s commitment to advancing the health and well-being of rural communities. Looking forward, we are committed to addressing challenges within the Farm to School landscape. We are actively exploring solutions for regional distribution and enhancing schools’ access to minimally processed and value-added local products. Building connections with hyper-local farms and finding a balance between schools’ needs and farmers' requirements are also key priorities. Additionally, we are seeking out further training opportunities for school nutrition staff. Lastly, we aim to sustain our partnerships with local organizations and school districts to expand the school garden network and cultivate a collaborative learning community.

The upcoming school year marks a significant milestone as FaHN celebrates the 10th anniversary of its Farm to School Program! Reflecting on the program's remarkable growth over the past decade, we extend gratitude to all our supporters who have cheered us on throughout this journey. Through the generous contributions of past and present funders, our program continues to ensure students' access to nutritious, locally-produced food. Without this vital funding, our program would not be able to operate at its current scale or scope.

In the next two articles, our current Public Health Farm to School AmeriCorps members provide a look at their service with us.

Farm to School Taste Tests and NY Thursdays

By Brooke Traver, Public Health AmeriCorps Member

In the ‘23-’24 school year, we have facilitated 26 taste tests and have celebrated 38 NY Thursday meals with students. Farm to School taste tests and NY Thursdays play an essential role in promoting healthy eating habits, supporting local agriculture, and fostering community connections. By offering students the chance to taste fresh, locally sourced foods, these initiatives introduce them to healthier dietary choices, encouraging lifelong healthy eating habits. Additionally, these programs provide crucial support to local farmers and producers, strengthening local economies and sustaining small-scale agriculture. 

This year we designed a Producer/Local Food Vendor Survey. Our goal was to better understand if producers and food vendors participating in the Farm to School program are able to establish economic viability through the program. After analyzing the data, all participants shared that they have found economic viability through selling their products to area school districts. A NYS beef producer said, “As we designed our mission to serve the k-12 market, we have enjoyed growing with that sector and our economic gains have been because of these buyers.” By sourcing food locally, we reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation and promote sustainable farming practices. 

These initiatives also offer educational opportunities, teaching students about the origins of their food and fostering an appreciation for the food system. The Farm to School Program brings together schools, farmers, families, and community members, strengthening community ties and collaboration. By contributing to a more stable food supply chain and supporting local food production, these programs play a key role in long-term food security. The Farm to School team implemented a stakeholder survey that was sent out to teachers and administrative staff in all of the schools that the Farm to School team visited. The survey was developed to establish awareness and receive feedback on their knowledge of the program. Stakeholder feedback is important to us as it helps us grow. A stakeholder from Chenango Forks Elementary School said, “I think NY Thursdays are wonderful! I will begin to discuss this with my students moving forward.” Overall, Farm to School taste tests and NY Thursdays benefit students, farmers, and communities, promoting a healthier, more sustainable, and connected society.

South Central NY School Garden Grants

By Ryan Ewanow, Public Health AmeriCorps Member

For most of us, accessing food requires nothing more than a simple trip to the grocery store. For some, it requires only a few clicks and a credit card, and it arrives at our door. Particularly over the past few decades, we have become increasingly removed from the agricultural processes that put food on our tables. Here at the Food and Health Network, we recognize these trends, which is why one of the primary goals of our Farm to School Program is to help promote agricultural education. We want to give students a closer look at our food system, to help them understand how vital America’s farms are to the health and well-being of our communities, and perhaps, to inspire some of these students to pursue a career in agriculture. 

One of the primary ways we support this kind of education is through our South Central New York School Garden Grant Program. We recently rolled out this grant for 2024, where we awarded 20 schools across 7 counties (Broome, Tioga, Tompkins, Delaware, Cortland, Chenango, and Otsego) with up to $500 to fund their school garden project. We will share the complete list of 2024 awardees next month. The number of funded projects is up from 13 schools in 2023. Schools that were awarded the grant in 2023 expressed gratitude for being able to provide these educational opportunities. One grant recipient shared that, “Without this grant our school garden would not happen each year,” and another noted, “This was a wonderful experience, the kids were so excited to learn all things gardening and agriculture. The grant ensured that we will be able to start our program again, stronger, in the fall.” Oneonta High School, one of our grantees for 2024, wrote a short article on their school website expressing similar sentiments (click here to read it in full). 

We are grateful to be able to provide this program to our local schools, and to increase the reach of the grant. However, our ability to do so is limited by our own resources and funding. Right now we are able to provide this program to 20 schools, and this is thanks to the generosity of our donors. However, even this year, we could not award every school that applied. There is a wonderful enthusiasm in our schools for this kind of education, but we can always do more. If you are interested in supporting these and other Food & Health Network initiatives, read on for ways you can contribute to our work.

George F Johnson Elementary School Students

Farm to Early Care and Education - Why Taste Tests Matter

Did you know that it can take up to 10 times trying a new food before a child begins to like it? Experimenting with taste tests at home offers a fun, pressure-free environment for your child to explore new foods. Try these tips for a successful experience:

• Engage all five senses: Even if your child isn't ready to taste a new food, encourage them to look at it, touch it, and smell it. This can help them become more comfortable with the idea of trying it.
• Be patient and persistent: Keep offering new food to your child several times. It may take multiple attempts before they acquire a taste for it, so don't give up!
• Introduce a rainbow of foods: Include a variety of colorful foods from each food group. This can make mealtime more interesting and encourage your child to try different flavors and textures.
• Involve your child in shopping: Let your child pick out fruits and vegetables at the store. This hands-on experience can make them more excited about trying the foods they helped select.



Find more tips and resources: Visit Eat Well Play Hard’s Parent Pages for more advice and information on raising healthy eaters.

The New York State Farm to Early Care and Education Network

By Kevin Davidson, Farm to Early Care and Education Coordinator

You may know that Farm to ECE is our newest program at the Rural Health Network, but you might not be aware that it's still a relatively new initiative nationwide. Due to budget restrictions, staffing constraints, and logistical challenges, Farm to ECE has yet to reach the same widespread adoption as K-12 Farm to School programs.

Fortunately, the early care sector is full of dedicated community members committed to providing fresh, local foods to our youngest learners. We've been collaborating with colleagues from the New York State Department of Health, the Head Start Collaboration Project, the Early Childhood Advisory Council, New York Association for the Education of Young Children, Nemours Children's Health, Farm to Institution New York State, and Hunger Solutions NY to establish the NYS Farm to ECE Network!

Our partnership with diverse stakeholders creates a network to share knowledge, best practices, resources, and enables us to grow each of our programs together. Integrating Farm to Early Care and Education and farm-to-institution initiatives allows us to capitalize on existing communication structures, ensuring our programming is accessible to providers, children, and families. Sharing learnings establishes diverse models and techniques that are adaptable to unique classrooms and learners, supporting healthy eating habits across programs.

As we continue to expand, our goal is for Farm to ECE to become as established in early care settings as Farm to School is in K-12 school districts. We're excited to share updates with you as we continue to pilot this program!

Food as Medicine

By Kate Miller-Corcoran, Food as Medicine Coordinator

The Food as Medicine program of the Food and Health Network works with healthcare providers throughout the Southern Tier to create better health outcomes for patients diagnosed with diet-related chronic health conditions. 

“Poor diet, exacerbated by food insecurity, is now the leading cause of death and disease in the United States,” according to the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation at Harvard Law School. “Individuals with low incomes and those dealing with food insecurity can be especially at risk for poor nutrition, due to additional factors associated with inadequate household resources as well as under-resourced communities. Food is Medicine services such as medically tailored meals, medically tailored groceries, and produce prescription programs have become increasingly powerful and cost -effective interventions to prevent and treat diet-related chronic conditions, improve household food security, and address health disparities.” 

Currently, the Food and Health Network runs one of the longest standing Produce Prescription (PRx) programs in the country. To see a map of PRx programs currently funded by the USDA along with participating clinics and vendors please click here. 

The Journal of the American Heart Association reports that “national implementation of produce prescription programs for the estimated 6.5 million Americans who have both diabetes and food insecurity could avert 292,000 cardiovascular events and add 260,000 quality-adjusted life years" — a measure of how well a treatment lengthens or improves patients’ lives — over a lifetime, while being highly cost effective from a health care system perspective and cost-saving from a societal perspective.

Throughout the 2023-24 season (May 23- March 24) the economic impact of the Produce Rx program was $229,750, as you can see below. The impact from farm-direct sales was $114,701. Click on the photo below to see more detail. 

Interested in becoming a vendor for Produce Rx? Here’s a link with more information

Produce Rx Video Project

By Natalie Lowin, AmeriCorps VISTA Communications Associate

As a Communications & Development VISTA, I have had the opportunity to work with multiple Rural Health Network programs over the past year-and-a-half. Most recently, I had the privilege to work with the Food and Health Network team on a video documentary highlighting their Produce Prescription Program.

This was an exciting project to work on since I traveled to Brackney, Pennsylvania to visit one of Produce Rx’s vendors, Russell Farms. As a VISTA who mostly works independently, this was a great opportunity to get to know my coworkers and better understand how programs at Rural Health Network are executed.

View the video for interviews with Food as Medicine Coordinator, Kate Miller-Corcoran and one of our farm-direct vendors, Russell Farms. 

You Can Help Support Food & Health Network Initiatives

Your contribution transforms the power of food to support thriving communities. Your partnership and collaboration allow us to expand access to affordable, healthy, locally produced food, invest in our vital farms and food businesses, and improve health outcomes.

Network Nurturer: $25

A gift of $25 can help us provide one week of locally grown fruits and vegetables for a patient with chronic health conditions through the produce prescription program. 

Community Cultivator: $50 

A gift of $50 funds one monthly preschool taste test, exposing children to fresh fruits, vegetables and local foods.

Access Advocate: $100

A gift of $100 provides supplies needed for planting a school garden, promoting hands-on learning, and building life-long skills.

Sustainable Supporter: $250 

A gift of $250 supports bi-weekly home delivery of fresh produce from local farm partners to improve food access and health outcomes in rural communities through the produce prescription program. 

Health Hero: $500 

A gift of $500 allows us to expand our innovative programs that empower connections between local agriculture, food access, and healthcare.

Public Health AmeriCorps Farm to School Members Wanted

The Food and Health Network is looking for two Farm to School Public Health AmeriCorps (PHA) members. These positions are 24 hours a week and run from September 2024 to June 2025 (for a total of 900 hours of service). PHA Farm to School members are a part of the Food and Health Network‘s regional Farm to School program that works collaboratively with 29 school districts in South Central New York. PHA Farm to School members will work as part of a team with the Farm to School Coordinator to develop, implement, grow, and evaluate programs to bring healthy, local food to students. Members will work with staff, students, parents, farms, and community partners to increase capacity for hands-on learning, local procurement, and creating a school-wide culture of health.

These positions require a personal vehicle.

For more information about this position and others within our program, please visit our website or contact Haley Desilet or Alexis Sankofa.

Representing Rural Communities at the

Age + Action Conference

May 6-8, Community Health program leaders Mary Maruscak and Emma Nalin represented Rural Health Network at the National Council on Aging’s annual Age+Action conference in Arlington, VA. 

Mary and Emma had the opportunity to connect with other recipients of the Administration for Community Living Chronic Disease Self Management Education grant, which Rural Health Network was awarded in 2023 and which funds most of our current evidence-based health education workshop offerings. They co-presented with panelists from West Virginia and Missouri to discuss the strategies and challenges of delivering programs for older adults in rural communities, highlighting Rural Health Network’s Northern Broome CARES and Community Health Education activities.

Among the conference’s 139 available sessions, Mary and Emma heard from speakers on the topics of trauma-informed programming, outreach to older LGBTQ+ adults, contracting with health plans, and the economic and policy impacts of an aging Baby Boomer generation. 

2024 marks the start of “Peak 65” in the United States, during which 11,200 adults are turning 65 every day - a trend that is expected to continue through 2027. This is already beginning to have significant impacts on all areas of society, from the economic projections of retirement and Social Security to healthcare infrastructure capacity to policies around the caregiving workforce. Policymakers and economists can look to rural areas as the bellwether for effects across the country; our populations have been aging faster than the rest of the country, facing the same challenges sooner.

The third day of the conference was Hill Day, an opportunity for advocacy with elected leaders on Capitol Hill. NCOA provided issue briefs and guidance regarding the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, which was first passed in 1965 and, among other priorities, funds senior center programming, older adult nutrition and health promotion, and workforce training for adults age 50+. Mary and Emma met with Congressman Marc Molinaro to share information about Rural Health Network programs and discuss the barriers faced by rural older adults in our district.

Partnering to Address Social Engagement

Since 2019, Rural Health Network has been partnering with Binghamton University's School of Social Work to provide internship experiences to MSW students and benefit the clients served. Jessica Nicholas served with Northern Broome CARES for the past eight months and provided this reflection on her time with us:

Traveling up to Northern Broome weekly for the past eight months has been a journey of learning and self reflection. Many college students will not get the experience of traveling out of their college campus for education. You can read about aging in rural areas, you can watch videos and listen to lectures, but seeing it for yourself and engaging in the community is a totally different experience.

While working with Northern Broome CARES as a Social Work Intern, I had the opportunity to meet with clients on a weekly basis. They invited me into their homes and shared their lives with me. While I felt at home in rural Northern Broome, since it was similar to where I grew up in Madison County, the impact that the low geographic density has on the aging population was something new to me. From day one, the impact of social isolation among my clients was clear to see. It led me to question how we can help adults age happy and healthy when structural and material barriers are present in their lives. We all need social engagement, but if you no longer drive, your neighbors don’t visit, and your family lives far away, how do we combat social isolation and provide a higher quality of life?

Working with Northern Broome CARES, I had the opportunity to tackle this issue. Their friendly visiting program is a clear fit for the area served. Through weekly home visits, I was able to decrease social isolation and provide support to my clients. Sometimes clients chose to play a game, work on a puzzle, or show me hobbies they enjoyed. This provided important cognitive stimulation and social engagement that we all need. Sometimes we would spend time calling doctors' offices, insurance companies, or home repair services, working to reduce life stressors and promote self-advocacy. But much of the time, my clients and I would have deep conversations about their lives - where they have been, where they are now, and what they see in their future. Other times we talked about the very real mental health implications of social isolation and aging, and how they are learning to cope with these changes. My training allowed me to be a supportive presence in my clients' lives, giving them the space and tools to engage in life reflection, self determination, and empowering them towards positive change.

Rural communities face unique challenges, but hold great strengths as well. My clients showed me the great levels of resilience required to age in rural areas. Through their stories and struggles, my clients taught me what aging truly is. They showed me a holistic view of aging, including the beauty and the barriers of living in rural areas. Their experiences and wisdom will guide my professional journey going forward as a social worker.

News, Articles of Interest, and Resources

NYHealth Foundation Video Series on Food Systems Planning

The New York Health Foundation (NYHealth) just released a video series highlighting grantees and partners throughout New York State that are demonstrating the positive impact of food systems planning to address food insecurity and strengthen the local economy.  Watch the series.

BC SAFE, Care Compass Network, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Host an Event

A conversation about supporting the LGBTQ+ Community will be held Wednesday, May 29th from 6-7:30 PM at the Broome County Public Library. View the Event Flyer.

Evidence of Racial Disparities in Health Care Reported in Every US State

The Rural Radio Network and ABC News Radio shared information from a Commonwealth Fund report on racial and ethnic disparities in health care. Six states were found to have better-than-average health system performance among all racial or ethnic groups, including Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Hawaii, New Hampshire and New York. However, even among these high-scoring health systems, racial disparities were observed. Read the news report.

Save the Date - Rural Health Network Showcase, October 21

Rural Health Network of SCNY will host our second annual fundraising event on Monday, October 21st. We hope you will join us in celebrating our Rural Health Awardees. Watch for more details on award nominations and the event in the coming months.

Save the Date - National Rural Health Day, November 21

National Rural Health Day, celebrated on Thursday, November 21, highlights the incredible contributions, dedication and resilience of rural healthcare providers, organizations and advocates. Let's come together to honor and support those who work tirelessly to keep our rural populations healthy and thriving! Learn more.