East End Food Institute Introduces New East End Food Hub

East End Food Institute (EEFI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding equitable access to local food throughout eastern Long Island, New York, and to points west. The pandemic highlighted many critical supply chain issues, including the need to strengthen local and regional food production and distribution, as well as  the importance of providing healthy, locally-grown food to people in need.

EEFI programs support, promote and advocate for local farmers, fisherman, vintners and food producers, while providing access to fresh, sustainable local food for all. The organization also addresses current inequalities related to food access in schools, food pantries, and other institutions by advocating for public policy changes and funding to subsidize local food production and access.

Eastern Long Island is home to some of the most productive agricultural soils in the nation. EEFI streamlines connections between farmers, producers, institutions, and consumers. Programs support farmers, promote the launch of new businesses, and advocate for systems change to create a more sustainable and equitable regional food system.

Hamptons.com recently spoke with Greg Baker, a Saunders & Associates agent committed to food sustainability and Anthony Cappa, Member of the East End Food Institute Outreach Committee, about an upcoming event to spotlight plans for the new East End Food Hub.

Greg notes that “Many people don’t realize that there is food insecurity here on the East End.  The seasonal nature of our community only exacerbates the problem. East End Food Institute does such important work and I’m thrilled to support their efforts and wonderful programs.”

On September 15, 2022 a “Sneak Peak” Cocktail Party will be held at Nick & Toni’s Restaurant in East Hampton from 5:30pm to 7:30 pm. Please join East End Food Institute for local food and drinks prepared by the amazing team at Nick & Toni’s and get a sneak peak of the plans for a new East End Food Hub in Riverhead. The food hub will focus on aggregation, processing, sales and distribution of local foods to strengthen our regional food system. Tickets are $150 per person, see the link below.

https://resy.com/cities/li/venues/nick-and-tonis/events/nick-tonis-fundraiser-to-benefit-east-end-food-institute-2022-09-15?date=2022-09-09&seats=2&mc_cid=dc36bd5c81&mc_eid=181af544a6

Anthony explains “In this harvest season the East End Food Institute is presenting plans for a new Food Hub in Riverhead. The new hub will centralize the collection, processing, and distribution of local goods, as well as help improve food access in schools, food pantries, and other institutions. The cocktail event at Nick & Toni’s will give a ‘sneak peek’ of the plans for the new East End Food Hub.”

“This is such an exciting time of growth for East End Food Institute,” comments Executive Director Kate Fullam. “We have been working behind the scenes for quite a while to strengthen the regional food system, and now it’s time to share our work and involve the community in a more direct way. I hope we will see many supporters at the event.”