A Victor-based business is collaborating with New York State and Foodlink to bring healthy, locally produced food to the community.
The founder and owner of the “The Perfect Granola,” Michele Liddle, says her company has a mission to share its profits with homeless shelters, outreach centers and food banks. Now, the company is venturing into food manufacturing with help from Foodlink’s Community Kitchen, which will prepare ready-to-eat packages of the granola.
“We actually have our line here at Foodlink, expanding its workforce development training program in the future, and creating a sustainable revenue stream for feeding America,” she said, adding that the granola is part of New York’s “Farm-to-Institution” program. “Governor Cuomo has a really big push for local, healthy foods into the New York State schools for our kids, especially the ones that are food insecure. So we’re really excited to be a grain provider now that’s sourced locally from New York State farms.”
The company’s allergy-free granola will be available for schools throughout the state.
Foodlink CEO Terra Keller says the Community Kitchen produces kid’s meals, provides sliced apples for schools, and offers a career fellowship. Now, it’s adding another processing line with the granola partnership.
“Through job creation and other preventative measures, we’re excited to enter the granola business with you and strengthen our partnership for the betterment of the community,” she said.
David Valesky, from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, says “The Perfect Granola” is a perfect example of how the state’s certification program gets locally grown and produced products into local schools.
Foodlink COO Terra Keller announcing the new partnership with “The Perfect Granola”