The Newburgh Food Project

The Newburgh Food Project unites residents, organizations, and City leaders to build an equitable local food system. Launched in 2021 with USDA and NY Health Foundation support, this landmark study integrates community and leadership voices to drive systemic change.

Upcoming initiatives will deliver:

  • Healthy Food Access: Reliable local nutrition for all.

  • Economic Growth: Opportunities for area farmers and producers.

  • Youth Empowerment: Specialized education and job training.

  • Sustainability: Improved community environmental health.

View "From Insight To Impact" Presentation

Next Steps

To drive systemic change, we are moving beyond data to action—identifying the people, policies, and programs essential for Newburgh’s needs.

Commitment alone won't ensure success; we are developing a dedicated plan to secure the political, financial, and community resources required to implement a sustainable Comprehensive Plan for Urban Agriculture in the City of Newburgh.

Workgroups Include:

  • Emergency Food Access

  • Transportation

  • Growing Food

  • Composting

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Learn more

From 2021 to 2024, the project’s initial phase used innovative methods to build community awareness and trust. Key achievements include:

  • Broad Outreach: A digital communications strategy that engaged thousands of residents, organizations, and City leaders.

  • Expert Task Force: A diverse group of 30 stakeholders—including growers, health providers, and municipal leaders—formed to assess Newburgh's food system.

  • Strategic Development: This team met monthly to design community food surveys, outreach strategies, and data collection models.

To maximize local trust and data accuracy, we utilized a grassroots approach to community engagement:

  • Community Ambassadors: NUFFI trained eight local leaders to bridge the gap between the project and residents. Through canvassing and "in-reach," they established a vital feedback loop with businesses, congregations, and neighborhoods.

  • Multilingual Outreach: In 2023, we released food system surveys in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Arabic. Our team promoted these through 20+ neighborhood meetings and by tabling at 50 community events.

  • Data-Driven Results: We held 130 meetings and collected over 620 surveys from consumers, growers, and retailers. This unprecedented data was compiled into a comprehensive report in partnership with The Benjamin Center at SUNY New Paltz.