Programs

  • Food Share Program

    Food Share Program: PFP’s multifaceted Food Share Program creates a healthier community by cultivating accessible, equitable produce distribution and sharing significant amounts of produce with food insecure community members who otherwise would not have access to this local farm fresh food, due to social and racial injustice. In 2024 PFP donated about 40% (57,799 pounds) of all food grown - a remarkable doubling from last year’s 28,925 pounds. We do this through 3 major avenues. 1. Donations to local emergency food partners 2. Free produce distributions staffed by PFP educators and 3. Sponsored CSA Shares. Population Served: For the 2024 growing season, we currently have 291 individuals (96 households) enrolled in our Sponsored Share and “CSA is a SNAP” program. Of these individuals, 72% identify as being a part of a BIPOC or mixed-race household. 90% live in Dutchess, with 64% being based in the Poughkeepsie area. This group includes 82 youth aged 18 or under, and 54 older adults. The 96 households have an average of 3.5 members, with an average of <1 employed individual in the household. 57% of households (114 individuals) are at or below the federal poverty level, and 75% have an aggregate household income of less than $37,060. PFP intentionally hosts free produce distributions in the City of Poughkeepsie in order to connect directly with Poughkeepsie families. Numbers of people served: Over 100,000 people annually through 14 community emergency food partners and our on-farm programs. Number of key staff: 3 full-time staff, 3 full-time seasonal staff, 5 part-time staff. How we stay connected to community needs: Enrollment applications for the sponsored share & CSA is a SNAP program will collect important demographic information, and end-of-season surveys will be provided to all participants to receive quantitative and qualitative data about how this program has supported individuals in feeling more food secure. End of season surveys will be distributed to our community partners to receive feedback and build stronger connections. Meetings will be scheduled as needed to strengthen and improve our partnerships, ensure that produce is being used and not wasted, hear requests relative to what produce they are best able to move from their kitchens or pantries, etc. Attendees to our free produce distribution also give direct feedback about the relevance of our offerings. Partner organizations: PFP donates food to community partners that primarily work with City residents, such as the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie and Dutchess Outreach. A full list of emergency food partners is given above in “Community Supported Agriculture.” PFP also works closely with public housing sites, like Rip Van Winkle and Smith Street Housing, as well as local elementary schools Clinton Elementary School and Morse Elementary School, to distribute free produce.
    Geographies
    51 Vassar Farm Ln, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603, USA
    Dates
    Not indicated
    Source
    User-generated
    Food security,Environmental justice,Food aid,Free goods distribution
    Age groups,Economically disadvantaged people
    291
    –

  • Public Education Program

    PFP's education programs reach about 4,000 children and adults annually with engaging culturally relevant nutritional and culinary workshops, materials, and produce for a multigenerational audience. Population Served: Low-income City of Poughkeepsie residents, especially BIPOC-identifying residents, and youth and families connected to the Poughkeepsie City School District, in which 87% of PCSD students are Black or Hispanic/Latinx and 82% are considered economically disadvantaged (NYSED). Numbers of people served: 1,741 children and 2,376 adults in 2024 Number of key staff: 2 full-time staff, 4 part-time staff, and 324 volunteers. How we stay connected to community needs: At Poughkeepsie Farm Project, we continuously adapt and enhance our education programs to meet the evolving needs of our community. We use attendance records to track participation in workshops and healthy cooking demonstrations, as well as detailed records of engagement, such as the number of attendees who try samples or take home produce. To assess program impact, we administer pre- and post-program questionnaires to measure increases in knowledge and shifts in attitudes toward consuming vegetables, fruits, and herbs. We also actively seek participant feedback to refine our offerings and ensure they are culturally relevant, accessible, and impactful. Beyond cooking demonstrations, we incorporate hands-on learning opportunities, such as farm-based activities, gardening workshops, and nutrition education, empowering participants with the skills to grow and prepare healthy, affordable meals. Our programs are designed to inspire long-term behavior change, foster community connections, and promote sustainable food practices. Partner organizations: The Poughkeepsie City School District has been the closest partner of PFP for about 14 years. PFP also works with local cultural event organizers, entrepreneurs, businesses, and local artists and housing sites. Every year, PFP hosts volunteers and interns from Vassar College, Marist College, and the Culinary Institute of America. In 2024, PFP also formed an educational relationship with Vassar College where our education team worked with a Vassar College professor to teach a Land Education course to Vassar College students that explored the history of native peoples, cultures, and uses of the land that the College and the farm exist on.
    Geographies
    51 Vassar Farm Ln, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603, USA;
    11 W College Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603, USA
    Dates
    Not indicated
    Source
    User-generated
    Adult education,Elementary and secondary education,Equal opportunity in education
    Adults,Adolescents,Children,Preteens,Economically disadvantaged people
    4K
    –

  • Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA)

    Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): Local households pick up a weekly share of produce (ranging from 10 pounds per share to 20 pounds per share) from our farm using a sliding scale pricing system. Population Served: Primarily Dutchess County and Poughkeepsie area residents. Numbers of people served: Approximately 500 households or 1300 individuals (~380 households use a CSA share size suited for 2 people; ~120 households use a CSA share size suited for 4-5 people) Number of key staff: 3 full-time staff, 3 full-time seasonal staff, 3 part-time staff, ~180 workshare members contributing approximately 500 hours of labor, ~40 volunteers. How we stay connected to community needs: Our farmers see and talk to our CSA members every week. End-of-season surveys are provided to all participants to receive quantitative and qualitative data about how this program has supported individuals in feeling more food secure. Partner organizations: Leftover produce is donated through Emergency Food Partners in Dutchess County including Access Supports for Living at PROS, AME Zion Church of Kingston, Beulah Baptist Church, Children's Home of Poughkeepsie, Community Family Development, Dutchess County Church of Christ, Dutchess Outreach, Earth to Table, Fareground, Grace Smith House, Hudson River Housing, Oakwood Community Fridge, Pantry at Dutchess Community College, Pershing Avenue Urban Farm, Salt of the Earth, and the Salvation Army.
    Geographies
    51 Vassar Farm Ln, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603, USA
    Dates
    Not indicated
    Source
    User-generated
    Food security,Environmental justice,Food aid
    Economically disadvantaged people
    1.3K
    –