Feeding More Putnam County Residents

Free Bountiful Meals Expands to PV Library

Putnam Valley, NY - February 14, 2024 - The Bountiful Meals program, spearheaded by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County (CCEPC), is proud to unveil a new freezer installation at the Putnam Valley Free Library.

Currently, the program has two freezers in Putnam County senior centers, with additional funding from the Farm Fresh Food Fund of the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley to expand to all four by the end of 2026. This new freezer marks a significant expansion of the program, now extending its reach beyond seniors to serve all members of the community in need of food assistance.

Made possible through the New York Food for New York Families Program, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA), this initiative aims to bolster food access and agricultural supply chain resiliency throughout New York State.

The Bountiful Meals program sources produce and meat from local farms such as Lobster Hill Farm, Space on Ryder Farm, and Fishkill Farms. By supporting local farmers, the program not only provides local economic opportunities but also ensures access to fresh, nutritious foods for all residents. The provisions are cooked up into meals by local non-profit Second Chance Foods, an organization dedicated to rescuing surplus food and transforming it into nutritious meals for those in need.

"We are thrilled to enhance our Bountiful Meals program with the support of the New York Food for New York Families Program," stated Ruby Koch-Fienberg. Agriculture and Food Systems Coordinator at CCEPC. "With this new freezer installation, we can broaden our reach and provide food access for all members of the Putnam Valley community through innovative partnerships."

The Putnam Valley Free Library will host the new Bountiful Meals freezer during its regular operating hours: Monday from 10 AM to 5 PM, Tuesday from 10 AM to 7 PM, Wednesday from 2 PM to 7 PM, Thursday from 10 AM to 5 PM, Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM, and Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM.