Welcome to southwestern New York State! ​

Located in a landscape and climate that is environmentally resilient, resource rich, ecologically diverse, and beautiful, the region of southwestern New York produces an abundance of diverse farm and food products and contributes to a stable food system economy. The SWNY region is part of the northern boundary of Appalachia and our rolling hills and dramatic valleys attest to a shared history and identity with our peer Appalachian regions. Our region of service extends for 3,400 square miles covering Allegany County, Cattaraugus County, Chautauqua County, and the tribal lands of the Seneca Nation of Indians. 

Fresh Local WNY is a project of Southern Tier West (STW) Regional Planning & Development Board whose mission is to foster economic vibrancy, diverse communities, and connections among local governments, organizations, people, and resources. Think of STW as the weaver of collaborations in SWNY and its Fresh Local WNY project as the fiber of the SWNY food system. STW is a local development district for the Appalachian Regional Commission and works to embody ARC's development priorities in its program work. In fact, the Fresh Local WNY project was launched from STW's early work in identifying the elements that define the SWNY region's food system and then working to develop approaches that yield economic vibrancy, resiliency, diversity, and equity at all points of the food system.