LIBERTY - “We should change the name of the Catskills Food Hub to The Catskills Food Hub That Could,” remarked Sullivan County Legislator and Chairman of the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) Ira Steingart.

“It's a very proud day for the IDA and Sullivan County to have the ribbon cutting for this project,” Steingart said. “You could write a book about what has transpired for over ten years, but our mission in the beginning was to help the ag community, and I'm very proud to say that we accomplished that with this project.”

Indeed, it's been a long time coming. But just like a garden, it takes time, patience and a lot of work to get something to grow. On Friday, the Catskills Food Hub has grown from a seedling of an idea to a fully realized undertaking.

On hand for the ribbon cutting at the hub, which is located in Liberty, were a handful of individuals, elected officials, and organizations who worked on the project from its very beginning.

The Catskills Food Hub project began as an initiative of the IDA and is now a separate 501c3 organization, with a governing board, leasing the space and equipment from the IDA.

Executive Director Cat Wilson brings with her many years of experience in the food industry, as both a chef and a farmer. She also brings a deep-rooted love for Sullivan County, as her family has owned a home here.

“Food has always been important to me,” Wilson said. “I remember the day I first wondered where it came from and I'm still in awe of the effort it takes from seed to plate. This county has a deep history with agriculture. There is a renaissance happening here, you can see it in the streets and you can taste it on your plate. The hub will be a part of this revitalization of our community through supporting local agriculture.”

The 5,250 square foot building includes 1,440 square feet of cooler space, cold and dry storage, as well as a docking area, conference space and refrigerated vans. In addition to serving as an aggregation site for regional farm and food products, the Catskills Food Hub has a mission to offer educational programs and technical assistance such as food safety and handling standards, and crop planning and marketing to regional producers. The hub also intends to play a role in regional and countywide efforts to improve food access and, by extension, health outcomes.

The hub received funding through the following agencies: USDA- Rural Development, NYS Empire State Development US Dept. of Commerce- Economic Development Administration, Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County, Sullivan County Funding Corporation and the County of Sullivan IDA.

“It's very hard for small farms to compete,” said State Senator Jen Metzger. “But they're so important and they are part of the rich diversity of our communities, and of our agricultural bounty, and of New York's heritage.”