News

June 11, 2021

Regional Food Bank’s Patroon Land Farm Seeks Community Support

The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York’s Patroon Land Farm is actively seeking community support for the 2021 growing season. The Regional Food Bank, in partnership with the Patroon Land Foundation, manages a sustainable farm that during an average year provides over 100,000 pounds of high-quality produce to those in need through 1,000 partner agencies in 23 counties. Since the start of the pandemic, the Food Bank has experienced a dramatic increase in demand. Community support is essential in operating the Patroon Land Farm and there are a number of ways the Capital Region can support these efforts.

“While we have a renewed sense of hope in the battle against COVID-19 with vaccines, the battle against hunger never goes away,” said Bob Baker, Manager of the Farm. “The Farm is an important part of the Food Bank, providing nutritious vegetables to neighbors, family and friends struggling with food insecurity. At the Farm, we say we Grow the Love, because that’s what we are able to do with the support of the community.”

Now more than ever, the Food Bank’s Farm needs the support of the Capital Region. Opportunities include:

  • Sponsor Our Crops: The Farm grows a number of different crops such as tomatoes, peppers and squash. Sponsoring the crops helps with all the associated costs, such as seeds, heating the greenhouse, as well as irrigation and equipment costs.
  • Volunteering at the Farm: Helping with planting, transplanting, watering and harvesting the crops. Both individuals and groups are welcome, with numerous, flexible shifts available.
    • Group opportunities: please contact Brandon Murphy at brandonm@regionalfoodbank.net or (518) 894-9593.
    • Individual volunteer opportunities: use our secure online volunteer management system at the web address listed below
  • CSA Shares (Community Supported Agriculture): The community can purchase a share of what we grow at the Farm, which helps to support our mission of providing for those in need. Members get a weekly share box filled with locally grown, fresh produce from late June through early October.

For more information on donating, volunteering, and CSA Shares, please visit regionalfoodbank.net/growthelove.

The Regional Food Bank’s Patroon Land Farm is one of the area’s best kept secrets – many people just aren’t aware of it and the positive impact it has on our community. If you would like to help promote the Farm and all the good it does, we’d welcome your partnership. The team at the Farm stands ready to answers questions for your stories, host on-site visits by the media and/or provide on-air interviews. We hope you’ll help us Grow the Love at the Patroon Land Farm.