ACAP to host community food drive at 2025 Adirondack Harvest Festival

WESTPORT | Adirondack Community Action Programs, Inc. (ACAP), in partnership with the Adirondack Harvest Program of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Essex County, will host a community food drive during the 2025 Adirondack Harvest Festival on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Essex County Fairgrounds in Westport. The food drive is being held in recognition of Hunger Action Month, a nationwide campaign held each September to raise awareness about hunger and inspire action to end food insecurity. "As Adirondack Community Action Programs, Inc. (ACAP) is the recipient of this food drive, we are committed to working collaboratively to ensure that the generosity of our community is felt across Essex County," said Alan Jones, Executive Director of ACAP. "Based on the volume of donations received, ACAP will share excess items with food shelves throughout the county, supporting families and individuals where the need is greatest." Festival-goers are encouraged to bring non-perishable, shelf-stable food items to the ACAP vehicles, located near the entrances of the Adirondack Harvest Festival. Accepted Non-Perishable Food Items ● Canned vegetables ● Canned beans (black, kidney, baked beans, etc.) ● Canned soups and stews ● Canned meats (tuna, chicken, salmon, ham, Spam, etc.) ● Canned pasta (ravioli, spaghetti, etc.) ● Canned chili ● Canned fruits ● Boxed macaroni & cheese ● Dry pasta (standard retail size) ● Rice (boxed or bagged), family size – no bulk items please ● Instant mashed potatoes ● Boxed meal kits (e.g., Hamburger Helper, Rice-A-Roni) ● Shelf-stable milk or milk alternatives (cartons) ● Peanut butter ● Jelly or jam (plastic jars preferred) ● Cereal (boxes or bags) ● Oatmeal (packets or canisters) ● Granola bars or snack bars ● Crackers ● Pancake mix & syrup ● Juice mixes (sugar-free preferred) ● Pudding mixes (sugar-free preferred) Items Not Accepted ● Fresh produce ● Repackaged or repurposed foods/beverages ● Refrigerated items ● Frozen foods or drinks ● Bulk food items (e.g., 20–25 lb. bags of rice, flour, or beans) "The Adirondack Harvest Festival is a celebration of our region's food and farming communities," said Elizabeth Lee, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Essex County. "Having a food drive at the festival is the perfect opportunity to give back and ensure that everyone in our community has access to food, especially as we head into the colder months." The Adirondack Harvest Festival is a free, family-friendly event celebrating local agriculture and the Adirondack community. This year's theme is "Seeds & Grains," and the festival includes a farmers' market, local food trucks, beverages, live music, kids' activities, and hands-on workshops. The event is held rain or shine, and all are welcome. For full event details, visit adirondackharvest.com/festival. To learn more about the food drive or ACAP's year-round hunger relief work, visit www.acapinc.org. For questions, please contact ccobb@acapinc.org.

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ACAP to host community food drive at 2025 Adirondack Harvest Festival

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