Letter to the editor: Thursday, May 1

How to advocate for local food access

Widespread hunger and food insecurity continue to be hidden problems throughout the region. A whopping $1 billion in funding cuts, announced by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in mid-March, have resulted in swift, direct, and devastating local impact. At St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia, our Community of Radical Hospitality hinges on food distribution to neighbors in need—921 of whom visited the Food of Life/Comida de Vida Food Pantry on the last Friday in February.

These individuals live in our neighborhoods and work at local businesses; they are the parents of our children’s classmates and contribute to the local community; and, amidst rising inflation and ongoing political uncertainty, they turn to us for assistance because they can’t afford to buy groceries.

As members of the New York Regional Food Bank, the USDA has been our primary source of reliable low- to no-cost protein—including pork, chicken, beef, fish, eggs, nuts and peanut butter—for the last 15 years. In the wake of drastic and unexpected cuts, the once abundant selection of quality protein is growing smaller and more costly. While we have been spared any weeks without protein for distribution (a blessing due to careful advance planning by our pantry manager), we anticipate availability will continue to plummet. The end of two pandemic-era programs (including the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program, which enabled states to buy fresh food direct from farmers and distribute it to local organizations helping communities in need) has revealed a stark truth: the vast chasm between the haves and the have-nots in Dutchess County is growing, and the impending crisis demands immediate attention from the community at large.

Donations of shelf-stable food are not the answer. In an effort to provide well-rounded pantry staples for all, we need to raise dollars and awareness in equal amounts. Money means we are able to expand our relationships with local farmers, through partnerships with Tri Corner FEED (Food Equity, Education, and Distribution) and the Tenmile Farm Foundation, to keep our neighbors nourished. Advocacy equates to contacting your state and federal representatives; voicing concern about barriers to local food access; and letting them know you are a constituent who is asking for action!

Food is a basic human right. While eradicating the myriad barriers to access in our region may not be imminent, it is our collective responsibility to ensure dignity for all. Together, many hands will surely make light work of bringing this issue into the spotlight where—with increased visibility—it can be seen and solved.

The Rev. AJ Stack
Priest-in-Charge
Executive Director, Food of Life/Comida de Vida Pantry
Amenia

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Millerton News and The News does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

Latest News

James H. Fox

SHARON — James H. Fox, resident of Sharon, passed away on May 30, 2025, at Vassar Brothers Hospital.

Born in New York, New York, to Herbert Fox and Margaret Moser, James grew up in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. He spent his summers in Gaylordsville, Connecticut, where he developed a deep connection to the community.

Keep ReadingShow less
Richard Stone

FALLS VILLAGE — Richard Stone of Main Street passed away June 25, 2025, at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington.

Born Feb. 12, 1942, in Ossining, New York, Richard was son of the late Howard Stone and Victoria (Smith) Stone.

Keep ReadingShow less
Peter Cusack’s vivid color of experience

Peter Cusack teaching at the Scoville Library.

Natalia Zukerman

When Peter Cusack first moved from New York City to Torrington, Connecticut pre-Covid, he thought he was going to be alone. “Wasn’t that ridiculous?” he said now, laughing. “I thought I was the only artist up here. Then I quickly learned that if you throw a stone, you hit an artist.”

In 2019, Cusack launched the Journal of Cornwall Contemporary Art (COCOA), originally imagined as a sort of art salon-meets-magazine-meets-espresso bar. “I realized I could channel this energy and give all these artists something to do and write about,” he said. “I had this idea of creating an exhibition space modeled after the Center for Italian Art in Soho,” he continued. “It would be beautiful, with a library and an espresso machine... but I couldn’t pull it off. I just needed more money than I had.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Mary Steele Cooney

SALISBURY — Mary Cooney, 63, a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, died suddenly of a previously undiagnosed medical condition on Feb. 14, 2025.

Mary was born in Barre, Vermont on Dec. 22, 1961, the first child of Lucy Wright Cooney and George Scatchard. Mary spent her early childhood in Vermont, later moving with her mother and siblings to Brookline, Massachusetts, Little Compton, Rhode Island, and settling in Salisbury, Connecticut in 1973. Mary attended Salisbury Central School and graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School. At Housatonic, Mary discovered her love of theater, choral singing, and was a dedicated member of Future Farmers of America.

Keep ReadingShow less