Great Local Foods Network Pledges Challenge Grant for Meat Locker Pilot Project (Press Release)

Press Release from the Great Local Foods Network:

GREAT LOCAL FOODS NETWORK PLEDGES CHALLENGE GRANT
FOR THE MEAT LOCKER PILOT PROJECT

          The Great Local Foods Network (GLFN) is pleased to announce its pledge of a $5,000 challenge grant to encourage community support for The Meat Locker Pilot Project, a new agriculture development project at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County (NY).

          Funded in part by a grant from the USDA, The Meat Locker Pilot Project will set up two walk-in freezers at downtown sites in Ithaca and Corning (NY) that consumers can rent to store their bulk meat purchases.  The aim of the project is to increase livestock production and "freezer trade" meat sales throughout the region by removing one of the main barriers to consumer bulk meat purchases, the lack of home freezer space.

          A USDA grant provided 80% of the project budget, however $20,000 more is needed for the project to launch in August as scheduled.  The GLFN challenge grant effectively will double the next $5000 of donations by matching them on a one-to-one basis. A crowd-sourced fundraising campaign is underway at: meatlocker.peaksoverpoverty.org and two Farm-to-Table local foods dining events on August 22nd and 25th at Silver Queen Farm also will benefit the project.

          The Great Local Foods Network is dedicated to bringing together and supporting local food artisans and entrepreneurs, and to the development of a robust and sustainable Finger Lakes food web.  Inspired by the vision and passions of local food pioneer Gary Redmond, GLFN supports new food-based businesses and celebrates the stewards and champions of the local food web through investment and education.  GLFN has emerged from the networks and community associated with Regional Access and draws upon the experience and creativity of local partners.  To learn more about the Great Local Foods Network, visit https://www.facebook.com/GreatLocalFoodsNetwork.

For more on the Meat Locker Pilot Project, visit: http://ccetompkins.org/meatlocker