Orange County Is Helping Area Seniors, Farmers

We all know the importance of eating fruits and vegetables at any stage of our lives and we also know how important is to buy locally and support our neighbors here in the Hudson Valley. Orange County has taken a step to help both the Office of the Aging and local farmers by expanding an existing purchasing contract.

According to the Office of the Orange County Executive, Office of the Aging's former lead provider of produce was food-distribution company Sysco, located in Houston, Texas. On Friday, Orange County Executive, Steve Neuhaus, announced that Dagele Produce, Inc., operating in its present location within the historic Black Dirt Region for four generations in the Village of Florida, will supply the county Office for the Aging with agricultural products beginning today. The farm can provide green beans, carrots, peas, lima beans, cauliflower, peppers, broccoli, apples, oranges, pears, onions, celery, and more. Office for the Aging currently serves approximately 900 older residents one meal per day through its Senior Dining Program.

“My administration is committed to supporting our local businesses, and purchasing from farms and other producers keeps 68 cents of every dollar in the community. We benefit those who live here and provide value to our taxpayers at the same time. This buy-local focus is a win-win,” said Neuhaus.

“This is an exciting opportunity to deliver fresh, local fruits and vegetables to seniors served by the Office for the Aging. Dagele has worked with us to begin providing its top-notch agricultural products immediately,” said OFA Director Ann Marie Maglione.

“As a farmer and a taxpayer, I am pleased that Orange County government has seen the efficiencies in recycling tax dollars to buy local and save money while receiving fresher product with a longer shelf life. And, since I aggregate produce from many neighboring farms, this project positively impacts several other agribusinesses,” said Dagele owner Frank Dagele.