New app allows users to search, browse, locate 100’s of independent food producers in Central New York and the Finger Lakes

Press release:

Search, browse, locate 100’s of independent food producers in Central New York and the Finger Lakes

Buying local does a world of good. That's why we developed Farmshed 2.0, a searchable, browsable directory of 1,200+ local farms, farmers markets, CSAs and locally-owned businesses. Supporting local farmers and food producers does more than provide us with fresh, healthy food: it helps our friends and neighbors, strengthens our communities, and keeps consumer dollars circulating in the local economy.

Farmshed 2.0 was recently named the official mobile app of the 2011 NY Locavore Challenge. It’s official. The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, better known as NOFA-NY, has endorsed Farmshed 2.0 as its official mobile application for the 2011 NY Locavore Challenge, which begins September 1st.

Farmshed 2.0 is a newly released mobile app that works on iPhones, Droids, BlackBerrys and other smartphones. Developed by Farmshed CNY, a local food technology startup, Farmshed 2.0 provides detailed information on 1200+ family farms, farmers markets and local food producers in Central New and the Finger Lakes.

To celebrate the partnership with NOFA-NY, Farmshed 2.0 has been updated to include all the NOFA-NY Certified Organic and Farmers Pledge Farms in Central New York and the Finger Lakes. In coming months, all the farms and businesses listed in NOFA-NY’s 2011 Organic Food Guide will be added to Farmshed 2.0, allowing consumers to learn about and locate over 700 organic farms and businesses in New York State.

Farmshed 2.0 is available as a FREE mobile download at: www.farmshedcny.com.

For a “how-to guide” on using Farmshed 2.0 during the 2011 NY Locavore Challenge, see the article “Locavore Challenged: Finding and Buying Locally Grown, Organic Food in Central NY and the Finger Lakes,” on the Farmshed Nation blog, http://www.farmshedcny.com/farmshednation/?p=1147

The Backstory:

Farmshed CNY, developer of the Farmshed 2.0 mobile app, is a food technology startup located in New Woodstock, NY, that built and maintains the Farmshed directory of 1,200+ family farms, farmers markets, food producers, wineries, restaurants and more in Central New York and the Finger Lakes. Founded in 2010, Farmshed CNY also publishes the Farmshed Nation blog, which produces features on family farms and food producers located throughout upstate New York.

The 2011 NY Locavore Challenge is a month-long campaign aimed at engaging consumers across the state to eat locally grown, organic foods. The goal of this year’s Locavore Challenge is to educate consumers to make healthy and ethical food choices, cook with in-season, local organic foods, and support local sustainable farms and food businesses.

NOFA-NY, Inc is an organization of consumers, gardeners, and farmers working together to create a sustainable regional food system that is ecologically sound and economically viable. Through demonstration and educational opportunities, NOFA-NY promotes land stewardship, organic food production, and local marketing. NOFA-NY brings consumers and farmers closer together to make high quality food available to all people.