SOFSA Blog
SOFSA Writes in Support of Syracuse University Union
In May of 2024, SOFSA Director Maura Ackerman wrote directly to Chancellor Kent Syverud to express SOFSA's support of Syracuse University's food service, library and facilities workers, who have been organizing to improve their working conditions and pay through union...
SOFSA Hosts Event Uniting Local Candidates with Community Members: “Community-Candidate Dialogue on Hunger, Housing, & Health”
On Thursday, June 13th, SOFSA, in collaboration with Housing & Homeless Coalition, CNY Fair Housing, Food Bank of Central New York, Jubilee Homes, Food Access Healthy Neighborhoods Now, LeadSafeCNY Coalition, and the Central New York Community Foundation, hosted a...
SOFSA’s Comment to the Army Corps of Engineers and Micron Technology
Dear Army Corps of Engineers and Micron Technology, We are submitting a comment on behalf of the Syracuse-Onondaga Food Systems Alliance, a local coalition representing the interests of food systems stakeholders Syracuse, Onondaga County, and Onondaga Nation. This...
In the news: “Leftover food could help feed hungry CNY families, but efforts not without challenges”
Spectrum News 1 highlighted the collaborative work of Seven Valleys Health Coalition, SOFSA’s Onondaga Food Rescue Network (OFRN) pilot project, and local pantry partners. Modeled off of Seven Valley Health Coalition's successful food rescue project, OFRN seeks to...
SOFSA Attends Statewide Advocacy Day: “In show of bipartisan support, N.Y. lawmakers join advocates to push for universal free school meals”
Moving into 2024, one of SOFSA's policy priorities will continue to be universal free school meals. On Monday, January 29th 2024, SOFSA staff attended a statewide advocacy day with the Healthy School Meals for All Coalition in Albany. Co-led by Hunger Solutions New...
In the news: “Syracuse and Washington leaders address food deserts with community solutions.”
SOFSA is proud to work in partnership with Food Access Healthy Neighborhoods Now! (FAHNN), a grassroots organization working to bring food access to Syracuse's Southside/Valley neighborhoods. The neighborhood is one of the most low-income, low-access neighborhoods in...
In the news: “Food insecurity a concern with expected population influx in Syracuse, experts say.”
With over 45,000 people currently facing food insecurity in the greater Syracuse-Onondaga area, concern is growing around food access as the area expects to see a population increase with Micron's announcement to build the largest semiconductor plant in the country....
Food Justice Fund – Frequently Asked Questions
Table of Contents General Information What is community grantmaking? Where did these funds come from? How will funds be distributed? How can I contribute to the Food Justice Fund for 2025? Process & Timeline What is the expected timeline? What is the Food Justice...
In the news: “Incentive program encourages residents to choose healthy, fresh produce.”
Over the past year, SOFSA had the privilege of co-hosting an Americorps VISTA in partnership with Field & Fork Network. Our VISTA, Chloe Cabrera, focused her energy on increasing sign-ups for the Double Up Food Bucks program in Syracuse, and expanding the program...
Recapping the First Annual Food Justice Gathering
On Saturday, October 28th, 2023, SOFSA hosted our first annual Food Justice Gathering at Plymouth Congregational Church in downtown Syracuse. The Gathering, and its theme of legacy, took inspiration from past food justice symposiums and events organized over the years...