Blog

Over the last four summers, Donna Mistler has seen children get excited about something you may not expect: eating their fruits and vegetables.  That excitement comes from a program called Kids’ Farmers Markets – where any child under the age of 18 can try a variety of fresh produce from local farmers and bring home [...]

More than 100 Corning Incorporated employees came together for the annual Corning Leader of the Pack BackPack Challenge, racing to pack 4,800 backpacks filled with nutritious food for children experiencing food insecurity across the Southern Tier. This year, the event also marked the culmination of Glass & Giving: 175 Years & $175K, which began with [...]

For local farmers like KC Mandeville, summer is busier than ever. “We’re a family farm. It’s just my wife, myself, and my son,” KC said.  From May to October, farms across NYS aren’t just harvesting their produce. They’re also looking for reliable wholesale buyers and the right consumer market. That can be a tough part [...]

Advocacy is a lot like a muscle: It gets stronger the more you use it.  That’s how Sayre Paradiso recently described her approach to food justice and social equity. As a Tompkins County resident and Community Advocate, Sayre is actively involved in several food access initiatives – from running a local pantry to participating in [...]

Tracey Hayes isn’t much of a hugger. But she can count on plenty of them every Friday.  “I bet I have 10 people hug me every time,” she said.  At Thomas A. Edison High School, Friday isn’t just about getting to the weekend. It’s the day that students and their families visit the School Food [...]

At the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, that kind of strength lives in Theresa Krause. Theresa has been named a Women of Distinction honoree by Fidelis Care, a recognition that reflects what so many in our region already know: her leadership, compassion, and relentless commitment are changing lives. But awards rarely capture the full [...]

Doc hesitates for a moment before opening the door to the Wellness Warehouse in Odessa. He adjusts his well-worn Vietnam Veteran hat, steps inside, and greets the staff with a firm handshake and an easy smile. He’s spent a lifetime serving others. Now, like many veterans, he’s navigating a season where he needs support of [...]

Lester navigated the busy streets as a cab driver for 24 years before retiring to a rural area of the Southern Tier, between the towns of Bath and Cameron. He enjoys gardening and growing vegetables like cucumbers, corn, and tomatoes in his raised garden beds. But, as a senior living on his own, things aren’t [...]

You help ensure pantries and School Food Centers are a welcoming space for everyone. We believe this is vital especially for those experiencing hunger in our community. Since 2016 the Food Bank of the Southern Tier has been implementing the Just Say Yes (JSY) Healthy Pantry Initiative, a program supported by the New York State [...]