KEESEVILLE — Families across the Adirondacks are gaining new, reliable access to fresh, locally produced food through AdkAction’s Fair Food Card, now coordinated in partnership with Women, Infants and Children offices throughout the region. WIC is a federal nutrition service that supports low-income families with pregnant individuals and young children ages five and under. Launched on Jan. 1, Fair Food is already supporting 98 households while strengthening the regional agricultural economy.

The Fair Food project began in 2021 as an evolution of AdkAction’s pandemic-era food security initiatives. What started as a small, locally grounded effort to help working families access nutritious food has grown into a trusted regional model that supports both household food security and Adirondack farmers.

Through the Fair Food Card project, participating WIC households received a debit-style card pre-loaded with $100 each month to spend exclusively on locally grown and produced foods at approved vendors. Families can use the card at more than 20 farms, farmers markets, and local retailers across the Adirondacks, purchasing fresh produce, local meats and regionally made value-added products. The card also helps fill critical gaps by covering items not always included in other nutrition programs, such as organic produce and many local foods.

“Demand for the Fair Food Card has increased each year, and we want to ensure the cards are reaching families who can benefit most from consistent access to fresh, local food,” said Kailey Maher, AdkAction Project Coordinator. “By partnering directly with WIC offices, we’re able to connect with households already engaged in nutrition projects and deliver this support in a way that is reliable, coordinated, and community-centered.”

In 2026, the Fair Food project is partnering with WIC offices serving Clinton, Essex, Hamilton, Warren, Franklin and St. Lawrence counties, offering year-long Fair Food Cards to participating families. WIC offices play a key role in identifying eligible participants, supporting families as they use their cards and collaborating with AdkAction to track use throughout the year. This coordinated approach helps ensure that benefits are fully utilized, barriers are addressed quickly, and families feel supported over time.