Cortland Food Project

About CFP

The Cortland Food Project (CFP) is a multi-disciplinary group that was formed in 2016, and includes representation from three groups: The Local Agricultural Promotion (LAP) committee, Sustainable Cortland, and the Cortland County Hunger Coalition. Original motivations for the formation of CFP were to identify additional opportunities for local, sustainable agricultural and economic development and to combine efforts in addressing the issues of hunger and nutrition for the disenfranchised, low-income populations in Cortland County. These motivations still shape the focus of our quarterly steering committee meetings and CFP activities and subcommittees as we help Cortland move toward a more sovereign, sustainable local food system.

CFP Accomplishments and highlights:

Over the years, CFP has undergone routine evaluations and thorough planning processes, including:

• Review and discussion of existing and previous local food projects.

• Consulting with Dr. Samina Raja of the Food Systems Planning and Healthy Communities Lab in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University at Buffalo.

• Application for the Local Foods, Local Places EPA technical grant to create an updated action plan for the Cortland area.

• Partnership structure for SVHC’s creation of the Cortland County Local Foods Map.

• Consulting with Anne Palmer of the Johns Hopkins Center for Livability to formally create the mission and vision of CFP and to shift towards becoming a true food policy council.

Our Mission

Cortland Food Project collaborates with community members and partners of the local food system to advocate for and support policies and actions that promote a healthy population, social equity, economic revitalization, and environmental stewardship.

Our Vision

We envision a local food system where all community members of Cortland County have access to healthy, affordable, equitable, and sustainable food sources. 

Our Values

1. We welcome feedback and new viewpoints.

2. We are dedicated to advancing best practices and innovative food system trends.

3. We are a hub for food system resources and community food education.

4. We are inquisitive towards understanding root issues affecting our local food system.

5. We are adamant in our quest for food justice across social, environmental, and economic lines.

6. We are committed to collaboration, inclusivity, and equality.

7. We are transparent in our operations, motives, and actions.