The Federal Reserve Bank of New York hosted a special event on the theme of “Strengthening New York’s Food Economy,” bringing together public decision-makers, leaders in economic innovation, cooperatives, agricultural producers, SME support networks, banks, and international partners to discuss concrete ways to strengthen the resilience and prosperity of New York’s food sector.
Organized in a context marked by profound changes in urban economic systems and increased demand for sustainable models, the meeting brought together several hundred participants around a common goal: “rethinking the levers of inclusive growth for the city’s food economy.”
Discussions focused on several key areas:
- Strengthening the productive capacity of local farms,
- Facilitating access to capital for small agricultural businesses,
- Promoting an abundant and accessible local food system,
- Improving community health through sustainable food approaches.
In this collective dynamic, the issue of international cooperation naturally emerged.
The European Cooperation System, represented by its president Mr. Gabriel MVOGO SAINT, was invited to take part in the discussions, highlighting the growing recognition of the SEC as a diplomatic and economic player committed to the sustainable transformation of territories.
Several highlights marked the afternoon’s proceedings:
- FedTalk: The Empire State Foodshed, presented by Phoebe Schreiner of the Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship;
- Panel 1: Building a Better New York Food Economy, moderated by Julian Macrone, bringing together experts such as Charley Cummings (Walden Mutual Bank), Kate MacKenzie (NYC Food Policy), and Julie Suarez (Cornell CALS);
- Panel 2: Access for Smallholders and Capital Needs, with Carlos Aguilera (West Haven Farm), Ivy Jack (Westfuller Advisors), Jarrad Nwameme (Triple J Farms), Roraj Pradhananga (Veris Wealth Partners), Olivia Watkins (Black Farmer Fund), and Karen Hiniker Simons (Hudson Varick Resources);
- Panel 3: Building Buffalo’s Food Future, moderated by Hanaa Hamdi (NY Fed), featuring Allison DeHonney (Buffalo Go Green), Pastor George Nicholas (Buffalo Center for Health Equity), Michelle Roberts (Buffalo Bills Foundation), and Michael Ball (Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield).
During his speech at the networking session and cocktail reception, Mr. MVOGO SAINT highlighted initiatives in Europe and Africa that support agricultural value chains, short supply chains, and the economic structuring of food ecosystems, while establishing transatlantic bridges between New York strategies and European and African cooperative models. This dialogue opened up new prospects for international collaboration in the agro-economic field.
The meeting highlighted the joint efforts of local financial institutions, community organizations, and producer networks to improve access to financing, strengthen logistical innovation, and ensure better access for urban populations to healthy, fair, and locally produced food. Initiatives such as increased support for farmers’ markets, the integration of technology into distribution systems, and climate resilience in food infrastructure were at the heart of the discussions. Emphasizing the strategic role of young entrepreneurs in agri-food transitions, Gabriel MVOGO SAINT recalled his organization’s experience in supporting innovative projects in Europe and Africa, particularly in the areas of sustainability training, agricultural training, andterritorial economic diplomacy.
The New York Federal Reserve’s (FED) “Strengthening New York’s Food Economy” initiative ended on an optimistic note, with New York authorities and international stakeholders clearly expressing their desire to make the food economy a pillar of inclusive recovery and economic justice. The European Cooperation System warmly welcomed the New York Fed’s initiative, sharing the conviction that community-based approaches and impact investment strategies are essential to strengthening urban and regional food systems.
