2026 Annual summit
Thank you for being part of the Feeding NYS Member Summit!
We truly enjoyed gathering with our incredible network of food bank members from across New York State. We hope you left the Summit feeling energized, informed, and inspired by the meaningful conversations, valuable connections, and shared commitment to ending hunger.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Premier Sponsor
Summit Experience Sponsor
Foodlink Reception Sponsor
Daytime Dining Sponsors.
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Swag & Snack Sponsors
Media Sponsor
Opening Reception Sponsors
Workshop Sponsors
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Table Sponsors.
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WE ASKED, YOU ASWERED
Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our post-Summit survey. Your feedback is important as we continue to improve the experience and shape future events. We’re excited to share a summary of this year’s survey results below!
MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR
AWARDS
Hunger Champion Awards
Partnership:
Kristine Ellsworth, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Sarah Wilfred, NYS Department of Health
Member Impact:
City Harvest
Amanda Palme, Food Bank of the Southern Tier
Jerome Nathaniel, City Harvest
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
Thank you to Foodlink for the incredible tour of the food bank, for hosting us at the beautiful Foodlink Community Farm and for our end of Summit wellness walk to visit the Foodlink Community Café. We appreciate your generosity, hospitality, and partnership in making this year’s Summit such a memorable experience.
Thank you to Headwater Food Hub for hosting a tour of their facility as an additional post-Summit activity.
Thank you to Visit Rochester for their help in planning such a wonderful experience and for showcasing all that Rochester has to offer. We could not have done it without their help!
OTHER PARTNER SUPPORT
Wegmans – Thank you for your generous sponsorship and for providing each attendee with a reusable shopping bag.
Tops Friendly Markets – Thank you for donating the snacks that filled our attendee welcome and swag bags.
POSTMKTG – Thank you for your continued partnership and for helping bring our Summit to life through your website expertise and digital support.
PRESENTATIONS
See Yourself in Advocacy – Sarah DeFrank, Sue Lintner, Ciara Mulligan, Alyssa Harryhanan, Tara Pagano-Toub
This discussion explored how every role within a food bank connects to advocacy – from sourcing, agency relations, retail recovery, warehouse & operations, communications, and leadership.
The Next Crisis: Critical Thinking – Kathleen Stress
Insert Kathleen’s Critical Thinking Summary
Sourcing Innovations: Strong Farm Partnerships
Regional Food Bank will shared its “Agri-Hub” approach, including its Patroon Land Farm, micro-purchasing with small farms, and its Freight Farm hydroponic operation. Then a moderated conversation with farm partners focused on what’s working well in food bank partnerships, opportunities to strengthen collaboration, and how we can continue building a stronger produce sourcing network together.
- Taj Plante, Regional Food Bank
- Liz Hammond, Regional Food Bank
- Frank Tambasco, Regional Food Bank
- John Williams, Williams Farms
- Laurie Gregori, Lynn-Ette & Sons
- Eric Hansen, Hansen Farms
Food As Medicine – Jill Chodak, Foodlink & Paola Cruz, Island Harvest
Foodlink, Island Harvest, and Regional Food Bank shared how they are leveraging the 1115 Medicaid Waiver within the broader Food As Medicine framework, including partnerships with providers, best practices, and lessons learned.
Technology for Good: Vivery & Beyond
- Amanda Palme, Food Bank of the Southern Tier
- Brian Ahsman, Food Bank of Central New York
- Mike Pitts, Foodlink
- Kathryn Miller, Food Bank of the Southern Tier
- Katie Belcher, Food Bank of Central New York
- Jackson Pearce, Regional Food Bank
- Brian Tenney, Regional Food Bank
In the first half of this session, hear how Food Bank of the Southern Tier, Food Bank of Central New York, and Foodlink are using Vivery to improve neighbor food access, strengthen coordination, and enhance community outreach. The second half will feature Regional Food Bank, Food Bank of the Southern Tier, and Food Bank of Central New York sharing how they’ve implemented Power BI to measure impact, inform strategy, and support data-driven decision-making across their organizations.
Empowering Partner Agencies Through Direct Donor Pickups – Danielle Vasquez & Jessica Parris, Feeding Westchester
Feeding Westchester shared their unique approach that allows them to increase efficiency, reduce food waste, and strengthen relationships between agencies and donors.
Wegmans – Jason Wadsworth, Wegmans
Learn more about the sustainability mission at Wegmans their accomplishments, and their goals moving forward.
NYSDEC Food Recovery Partnership – Kristine Ellsworth, NYSDEC
Learn about NYSDEC’s upcoming funding for recovery programs, and the 2027 expansion to the food donation law. Gain resources and compliance strategies to enhance your community impact.
Jessica Parris, Feeding Westchester
Thank you for getting us up, moving, and re-energized with a much-needed mid-afternoon stret
Farm Partnerships – Jim Germain
Learn how farm partnerships are helping to expand access to fresh, locally grown food across the network.
Salesforce – Jay Hawkins & Lydia Casavant
Learn how FNYS is implementing Salesforce to streamline reporting, improve data tracking, and support food bank operations.
Food Recovery Next Steps – Jay Hawkins & Cass Hammecker
FNYS leaders share the next steps in strengthening food recovery across the network.
Ideas You Can Use Next Week – Steffani Williams
Participants reflected on key insights from the Summit and left with five practical actions they can implement immediately in their food banks.
2026 SUMMIT STATS
- 132 registered and checked in
- 99 food bankers and guests
- All 10 food banks were represented
- City Harvest – 3
- Feeding Westchester – 7
- Feedmore WNY – 4
- Food Bank for NYC – 2
- Food Bank of CNY – 8
- Food Bank of the Southern Tier – 14
- Foodlink – 11
- Island Harvest – 3
- Long Island Cares – 4
- Regional Food Bank – 21
24 sponsors with 52 individual sponsors attending
Steff’s Hug O’Meter & Jazz Hands Tracker
The official hug count may have fallen short of 200, but the connections made throughout the Summit were off the charts. Thank you to everyone who shared a hug, a laugh, or a little jazz hands along the way!
VOICES FROM OUR 2026 SUMMIT
One question and dozens of thoughtful responses.
During this year’s Summit, attendees were asked to complete the statement: “Our Network Comes Together When We…” The responses reflected a common theme – collaboration, connection, and the power of learning from one another.
Take a moment to explore the slide deck below and see how your fellow food bankers answered this question.
PHOTOS FROM THE SUMMIT
See and share some of your favorite moments from the Summit
Note: when you go to download, it will prompt you to create a login – you can press the button on the bottom that says, “continue with download only.”
