HUDSON, NY – SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 -- In collaboration with Scenic Hudson, FeedHV, the community food rescue program operating in seven counties in the Hudson Valley, will be able to purchase and donate approximately 1,200 pounds of locally grown steelhead trout to six agencies with food assistance programs. In Greene County the receiving agencies are Community Action of Greene County, Catholic Charities of Columbia and Greene, High Hill Food Pantry and Catskill Community Center in Catskill; and Prabhuji Mission Food Pantry in Cairo. In Hudson, the Columbia County Recover Kitchen is also a recipient.
FeedHV is a regional food rescue and harvesting network operating throughout Dutchess, Orange, Ulster, Columbia, Greene, Putnam and Sullivan counties. It links donors of prepared, but unserved, food and fresh produce with nonprofits and food assistance programs. Through an app-assisted network of food donors, volunteers and feeding agencies, FeedHV facilitates the harvesting, processing and distribution of locally grown or produced agricultural products, shelf-stable food donations and prepared nutritious foods. Among the donors are restaurants, farms, food makers, stores, hospitals and universities. The food assistance programs include food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters. The program is administered by Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation (HVADC).
With Scenic Hudson’s support FeedHV will be able to procure the fish at cost from Hudson Valley Fisheries (HVF) of Hudson, New York to donate to the agencies. HVF operates North America’s largest land-based recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) for steelhead trout. Its 1200 metric ton, 160,000 square foot indoor aquaculture facility produces over ten thousand pounds of nutrient-rich New York Steelhead weekly. With complete egg to plate transparency, the facility serves customers from New York City to Boston and Philadelphia, offering delivery of head-on, gutted 6.5-pound steelhead within 48 hours of humane harvesting; filleted Steelhead is also offered. Omega-3 loaded Steelhead is a species of salmonid native to cold-water tributaries in the Pacific, also known as rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). In 2019 HVF received one of the first New York State Grown & Certified designations in the aquaculture segment. New York State Grown & Certified promotes New York's agricultural producers and growers who adhere to food safety and environmental sustainability standards.
“Scenic Hudson has long supported our efforts in creating a resilient regional food system, but they have been getting more involved in helping us both access fresh food for our underserved neighbors, and helping us sustain our farmers and food producers especially during these difficult times,” said Todd Erling, Executive Director HVADC.
This is the second major collaborative donation for Scenic Hudson and FeedHV. In 2020 they facilitated the at cost purchase and donation of more than 70,200 pounds of dairy products including milk, yogurt and butter from Ronnybrook Farm Dairy and Hudson Valley Fresh Farms to be delivered to three FeedHV agencies with food assistance programs serving children.
“Scenic Hudson is delighted to partner again with FeedHV in its vital work to offer families in Greene and Columbia counties fresh, healthy food. We thank Hudson Valley Fisheries for providing the steelhead trout at cost, enabling us to maximize the amount of nourishing food we could supply. Hunger remains a significant problem in valley communities. Scenic Hudson will continue doing all we can to be part of the solution by ensuring that people most in need have access to locally grown products,” said Scenic Hudson President Ned Sullivan.
HVF has in the past been a FeedHV donor and has participated in the Norish NY program which through the pandemic connected connect agribusinesses with unsold products to New York’s network of food banks, creating a market for farmers to sell their goods and providing food to families in need.
"One of the benefits of land-based aquaculture is an ability to cleanly and consistently address food security. When international supply chains are disrupted because of climate change or pandemics, shortages occur. Local, land-based aquaculture offers a secure approach to raising fish and safeguarding against food shortages. Hudson Valley Fisheries is committed to providing a scalable approach to addressing food security and we are honored to join Scenic Hudson, FeedHV and HVADC in their efforts to ensure accessibility of high-quality food for everyone,” said John NG, owner of HVF.
To learn more about FeedHV, its donor and volunteer programs, visit www.feedhv.org.
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About FeedHV For the past four years, FeedHV has been operating as a regional food rescue and harvesting network in New York’s Hudson Valley, linking donors of prepared but unserved food and fresh produce to nonprofits with food assistance programs. The program is administered by Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation (HVADC). For additional information, visit www.feedhv.org.
About Scenic Hudson Scenic Hudson preserves land and farms and creates parks that connect people with the inspirational power of the Hudson River, while fighting threats to the river and the natural resources that are the foundation of prosperity in the Hudson Valley. For more information, visit www.scenichudson.org.