In 2009, the Field & Fork Network held a one-day conference in Wyoming County, inviting local farmers and local food buyers to meet and figure out ways of sourcing and selling more small, local food in Western New York.
The response was overwhelming. Hundreds of local growers, ranchers, chefs and food service representatives arrived from across the region’s eight counties. There were buyers from hospitals, school systems and cafeterias, from the University at Buffalo and SUNY Alfred, and 11 senior managers from Wegmans alone.
“We had people waiting out in the hall to try to get into the room,” said Lisa Tucker, executive director and co-founder at Field & Fork, a charity that bolsters local agriculture as a means of economic development. “The response was just astounding.”
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