Need help with food? Visit the Food Bank of CNY, or call 211
CONSUMERS
Too many people lack access to good food
Despite a large regional market, many large grocery stores, and a growing network of farmers markets, still many Onondaga County residents report low access to healthful foods. While new convenience stores and fast food franchises are opening every day, neighborhood grocery stores that serve fresh, affordable produce are vanishing at alarming rates, leaving the 32% of Syracuse residents living below the federal poverty line at a loss. Inequities in healthy food access are intricately linked to structural racism, perpetuating concentrated poverty and health disparities in our community.
FOOD INDUSTRY
Too many food businesses stand on unstable ground
Meeting the needs of food business enterprises from sectors across our regional food system is a tall order, but a healthy regional food system must connect everyone. From family farms, food distributors, chefs and produce buyers, to the consumer at the restaurant or the grocery store, our challenge is to bring everyone to the table. Food businesses in Onondaga County struggle to balance the at-times competing goals of financial viability and environmental stewardship, while also responding to competition from large corporations. Many are also working to square a long, proud history of serving Onondaga residents with a desire to adopt new innovations and mission-driven practices.
Too many food businesses stand on unstable ground
Meeting the needs of food business enterprises from sectors across our regional food system is a tall order, but a healthy regional food system must connect everyone. From family farms, food distributors, chefs and produce buyers, to the consumer at the restaurant or the grocery store, our challenge is to bring everyone to the table. Food businesses in Onondaga County struggle to balance the at-times competing goals of financial viability and environmental stewardship, while also responding to competition from large corporations. Many are also working to square a long, proud history of serving Onondaga residents with a desire to adopt new innovations and mission-driven practices.
ADVOCATES
Food system advocates struggle to make an impact
People across our county—including from government agencies, community-based organizations, academic researchers, and public health advocates—have been working on these issues for a long time. But our food system is complicated, tying together issues of climate, land use, public health, economic policy, and social justice. While individuals can do incredible work on their own, it will take strong partnerships between them to address the intersections of these problems. By coming together, we can imagine a new and equitable food system for all of us, the people of Onondaga County.
None of these problems can be solved unless we work together
A well-designed food system creates new opportunities for change.
When we say ‘food system,’ what we’re referring to is the network of interconnected processes – and the people behind these processes – that grow food and get it to your fork. The food system encompasses how and where food is produced, processed, distributed, and consumed, and how the waste is managed afterward. The food system is shaped by politics, economics, cultures, and the natural environment itself. The best food systems produce enough healthful food for all community members. Healthy food systems also create financial opportunities for businesses, offer gainful employment to individuals, and sustain the environment that we all share. A well-designed food system is the basis for a happy society.
What could an improved food system mean for CNY?
CONSUMERS
Easier access
More affordable
Better options
Better quality
Improved health
Options for all cultures
FOOD INDUSTRY
Greater viability
More innovative
More resiliency
Fewer environmental trade-offs
Ability to provide themselves and their workers secure, benefited employment
ADVOCATES
Collaboration across disciplines
More inclusive practices
Deeper impact
More equitable outcomes
Ability to attract non-traditional partners and funders
Since we’re all eaters, having a food system that prioritizes access, sustainability, and resiliency is beneficial for all of us.
How are we doing this?
We're strengthening our network by forging new connections inclusive of all our county’s residents
We're assessing current conditions to identify gaps and opportunities
We're strategizing together to impact transformative change in our local food system
Get involved, make your voice heard
JOIN US
Participate in building a better food system
TALK TO US
Share your experiences and vision for the future
SUPPORT US
Fund our collaboration
About SOFSA
Established in 2019, the Syracuse-Onondaga Food Systems Alliance (SOFSA) is an independent food council in Central New York serving the city of Syracuse and surrounding Onondaga County.
The overarching goal of the SOFSA partnership is to serve as both a network of food system stakeholders as well as a catalyst for collaboration among diverse partners. SOFSA engages across sectors to advance projects, build linkages, and foster relationships that enhance the livelihoods of all partners. The partnership aims to ensure the long-term viability and vitality of the region’s agricultural sector while simultaneously increasing access to healthy food and reducing the prevalence of food insecurity within the county.
