The Cooperstown Food Pantry has received a $16,000 grant from the Chobani Community Impact Fund at the Community Foundation for South Central New York. The funds will be used for the Farmers’ Market voucher program, which provides Pantry clients with vouchers to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables at the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, which is open year-round on Saturdays. Food Pantry clients can receive $20 in vouchers each month to use at the Farmers’ Market.
The Food Pantry began the Farmers’ Market voucher program in 2017. This grant doubles the amount of vouchers available to food pantry clients.
“Historically, fresh produce can be one of the largest expenses at the grocery store, and we are truly grateful to our partners at Chobani and the Community Foundation for South Central New York for helping us further our mission while providing our neighbors in need with greater access to locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables, that in turn, support our hardworking, local farmers,” said Will Kleffner, executive director of the Cooperstown Food Pantry.
The Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, which was founded and is managed by Otsego 2000, features local farmers as well as makers and artisans. The Farmers’ Market accepts EBT, and through two matching programs, the Cooperstown Lions Club SNAP Match and Double Up Food Bucks, a $20 EBT spend results in $60 worth of fresh local food. If a person also has a $20 voucher from the Pantry, they will receive $80 worth of local food for a $20 EBT spend. The Farmers’ Market is located at 101 Main Street in Pioneer Alley, Cooperstown. It is open 10 am to 2 pm on Saturdays year-round.
“We are delighted to continue our partnership with the Cooperstown Food Pantry and to work together to ensure more people have access to fresh local food,” said Ellen Pope, executive director of Otsego 2000. “And, the voucher program also gives more business to our local farmers and helps the local economy.”
“At Chobani, we believe that true success is measured by the strength of our communities,” said Nishant Roy, Chobani’s Chief Impact Officer. “By supporting partners who are on the front lines of the fight against hunger, we’re not just helping, we’re standing shoulder to shoulder building a future where everyone has a place at the table.”
“It has been our pleasure to partner with Chobani to administer their Community Impact Fund,” said Tina Barber, Executive Director, Community Foundation for South Central New York. “We look forward to working with their employee-led review panel each year to make grants to projects and programs that improve access to healthy foods and address the critical issue of food insecurity. To date, the fund has invested over $900,000 in Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, and Madison counties. We are excited to pass the million-dollar mark in 2025!”
Individuals in need of food can call the Cooperstown Food Pantry, 607/547-4419, to arrange for a pickup. The monthly distribution includes a five-day supply of food, three meals a day, per person in a household. Personal care items and diapers are also available. The Cooperstown Food Pantry serves the entirety of Otsego County. No referral is needed, and no one is ever turned away.
The Cooperstown Food Pantry, located at 25 Church Street in Cooperstown, is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to 4 pm, Thursdays from 1 pm to 5 pm, and Saturdays from 10 am to noon. See www.cooperstownfoodpantry.org for more information.
