Herkimer County Veggie Van and From the Ground Up Programs Hit the Road

Cornell Cooperative Extension Herkimer County (CCE Herkimer) is excited to announce the return of its Veggie Van mobile market, powered by Bassett Healthcare Network Little Falls Hospital & Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties; and the From the Ground Up program, funded through the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Urban Farm and Community Garden Grant Program.

Veggie Van Mobile Market

The Veggie Van mobile market aims to increase access to fresh, locally grown produce and other agricultural products in underserved communities within Herkimer County. This initiative is part of Cornell Cooperative Extension Herkimer County’s ongoing commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles, supporting local agriculture, and addressing food insecurity.

The Veggie Van will travel weekly to key neighborhoods, making it easier for individuals and families to access the fresh ingredients they need to live healthier lives. The mobile market season is from June 15th to October 13th, 2026 and features West End Farm of Herkimer.

Accepted forms of payment include cash, credit, EBT/SNAP, and FreshConnect checks. FMNP will be accepted at West Winfield, London Towers, Galinsky Apartments, and Suzy Q’s.

View the schedule here: https://blogs.cornell.edu/cceherkimer/programs/local-foods/veggie-van/, subject to change (follow West End Farm on Facebook for changes due to weather)

From the Ground Up

From the Ground Up will run alongside the Veggie Van program; two separate initiatives working in partnership to create a seamless, hands-on food education experience for the community.

From June 15th through October 13th, participants are invited to visit participating community gardens to see how fruits and vegetables are grown. They can then observe how West End Farm markets and sells produce, and conclude their experience with a live cooking demonstration highlighting simple, healthy ways to prepare seasonal ingredients.

The cooking demonstrations will last one hour. Five featured recipes have been selected for the season; one for each month of the Veggie Van program (June, July, August, September, and October). The same monthly recipe will be taught consistently at all participating garden sites to reinforce learning and seasonal themes.

Featured recipes include:

• Plum Cucumber Salad (June)

• Zucchini Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette (July)

• Avocado and Corn Salsa (August)

• Apple Spinach Salad (September)

• Carrot Raisin Salad (October)

Learn more about the From the Ground Up program here: https://blogs.cornell.edu/cceherkimer/2026/03/03/from-the-ground-up/

Together, the Veggie Van and From the Ground Up programs provide a full farm-to-table experience.