Columbia County Sanctuary Movement

Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. However, stark disparities persist by race and ethnicity, and communities of color experience disproportionately high rates of food insecurity and diet-related disease. The communities most affected by these disparities often have the best solutions to improving food equity. However, systemic barriers often exist, and historically, organizations led by people of color have not had equal access to or benefited from traditional philanthropy funds and resources. In 2024, NYHealth issued an inaugural Request for Proposals (RFP), “Healthy Food, Healthy Lives: Supporting a More Equitable Food System,” to advance racial health equity in the food system. NYHealth awarded Columbia County Sanctuary Movement (CCSM) a grant to participate in this initiative. 

Under this grant, CCSM will expand and formalize its Comida Para La Gente (CPLG) food justice program to enhance the health and nourishment of immigrant communities in upstate New York. It will develop contracts and procurement processes with local farms to enable them to plan crops; guarantee income ahead of production season; and provide more culturally relevant, locally-sourced produce in CPLG’s weekly meals. CCSM will work to connect farms with local schools, hospitals, and larger institutions. CCSM will also establish a Food Justice Advisory Committee, comprising stakeholders with expertise and lived experience, to help community members develop long term partnerships and ensure that each farm’s crop planning, meal planning, and contract negotiations align with community needs.  

See a full list of grantees working to advance racial health equity in the food system.