Working for a Food-Secure Schenectady
OVERVIEW
Access to healthy, affordable food is essential for a thriving community. Through grant making, community collaboration, and data-driven planning, The Schenectady Foundation supports initiatives that address both the immediate needs and long-term solutions to food insecurity.
OUR COMMITMENT TO FOOD SECURITY
Food insecurity has long been recognized as a major challenge across New York State. In 2007, New York established a statewide Food Policy Council with goals to:
- Maximize participation in food and nutrition assistance programs
- Strengthen connections between local food producers and consumers
- Support a safe and sustainable agricultural and retail food infrastructure
- Foster a culture of healthy and local eating for all New Yorkers
Building on the work of the 2017 Food Action Plan, The Schenectady Foundation and Schenectady County Food Council led the development of the 2026 Food Action Plan for Schenectady County, informed by community voices, local data, and the experiences of residents across Schenectady County.
The plan outlines five key strategies for strengthening our local food system:
- Bring nourishing, healthy food closer to residents
- Remove transportation and navigation barriers to food access
- Make food security part of community instituions
- Put residents and lived experience at the center of solutions
- Build a coordinated, resilient local food system
Today, the Schenectady Foundation continues to support and expand this work through strategic funding, partnerships, and community leadership.
EQUITABLE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD
Impact Statement: Schenectady County will be food-secure, ensuring that all residents have consistent access to fresh, healthy, and nourishing food.
The Foundation provides grants to organizations working to improve access to nutritious food across Schenectady County. In the past 5 years we have funded 33 grants, in 2025 alone we granted 10 grants equaling 740,000. In 2026 we are planning on granting 500,000. With a major focus on multi-year food systems approach, and creating and strengthening collaborations.
These grants support initiatives such as:
- Expanding food pantry and meal programs
- Increasing access to fresh produce
- Supporting community food distribution efforts
- Strengthening local food system partnerships
- Addressing barriers to healthy food access
DATA, RESEARCH, AND COMMUNITY INSIGHTS
Understanding the scope of food insecurity is critical to developing effective solutions.
The Schenectady Foundation and its partners collect and share data to better understand local challenges and opportunities within the food system.
Reports and resources include:
- Tackling the Root Causes of Food Insecurity
- CDC – Improving access to healthy foods
- Greater Capital Region Food Assessment
- Schenectady County Healthy & Equitable Food Action Plan
These resources help guide decision-making, inform community action, and highlight the voices and experiences of Schenectady County residents.
Addressing food insecurity requires collaboration. The Foundation works with nonprofits, schools, farmers, community leaders, and residents to strengthen the food system and expand access to healthy food.
Together, these partnerships are helping to build a more equitable, resilient, and community-driven food system in Schenectady County.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Your donation to this specific Fund will make all the difference to food insecure families, and 100% of every donation is distributed to programs in Schenectady County.
