Welcome Hudson Valley! This is Conor Walsh, host of In Touch, Townsquare Media of the Hudson Valley’s Award-Winning Public Affairs and Issues program.   

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This Week on In Touch, we speak with Barry Lewis from The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, a not-for-profit organization that collects and distributes food across 23 counties within New York, feeding over 350,000 people each month. We discuss the opening of a new 46,000-sq. ft. distribution center in Orange County that will make a generational impact on the growing food insecurity issue here in the Hudson Valley. 

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We invite you to listen to a previously recorded conversation between Barry and myself here on In Touch 

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This has been this week’s edition of IN TOUCH, the award-winning public affairs and issues program that runs across Townsquare Media of the Hudson Valley radio stations. We want to give a big thank you to Barry Lewis. For more information, please visit https://regionalfoodbank.net/ 

10th Annual Farm-to-Fork-Feast

Thursday, November 7th 2024 - 5:00 pm 

 Villa Borghese, 70 Widmer Rd. Wappinger Falls, NY

History & Mission of The Regional Food Bank

The Regional Food Bank is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that collects donated food from the food industry and distributes it to more than 1,000 partner agencies and programs feeding our neighbors in need throughout 23 counties of northeastern New York. The food provided by the Regional Food Bank helps to feed over 350,000 people each month. In 2023, the Food Bank distributed more than 48 million pounds of food (enough for 40 million meals) to our neighbors in need. The Regional Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, the national network of food banks.

History

The Regional Food Bank was created by a group of food pantry coordinators and anti-hunger advocates in June 1982. The Food Bank operated for seven years in a commercial storage warehouse, and in 1989 moved into a newly constructed 21,000 square-foot warehouse. The Food Bank outgrew this facility in less than four years and moved its operation to a modern 42,000 square-foot warehouse in 1993. In 2017, the Food Bank completed a major renovation project to significantly expand its warehouse storage space in an effort to meet the ever-growing requests for food assistance. The Food Bank now has a 70,000 square-foot building to accommodate donations.

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In 1990, the Regional Food Bank opened a branch facility in the lower Hudson Valley to increase donations from food companies and improve services to agencies in this region. This location is housed in a 20,000 square-foot warehouse in Cornwall-on-Hudson in Orange County. The Food Bank’s service area encompasses 41% of the landmass of New York State.

Mission & Vision

The mission of the Regional Food Bank is to lead a network of partners to alleviate hunger, prevent food waste, and nourish the communities we serve. Our vision is that all people have the nutritious food they need to thrive. The Regional Food Bank is a non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

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In Touch Receives 2 Excellence in Broadcasting Awards for 2024  

I am so proud to announce that In Touch has received another two Excellence in Broadcasting Awards from the New York State Broadcasting Association for 2024. In Touch received the award for “Outstanding Public Affairs Program or Series” for the second year in a row. Not just that, but In Touch also received the award for “Outstanding Editorial/Commentary.” This recognition would not be possible without all our phenomenal guests that we learn from and grow with every single week, and of course you, the listener! Whether you’ve been listening for a while, or you just found us, thank you for taking part in the conversation and staying In Touch with what’s going on in the Hudson Valley.   

Townsquare Spotlight 

Because of the awesome success of In Touch over the last year, we are expanding! We are launching a new spin-off series under the In Touch umbrella called Townsquare Spotlights. These Spotlights focus on amazing celebrities and leaders passing through the Hudson Valley who are making an impact in pop culture. You can check out our latest spotlights wherever you listen to In Touch. 

MORE OF IN TOUCH 

Whether you’ve been listening for a while or you have just joined us, thank you! You can find In Touch episodes new and old on your favorite streaming services like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher and more! That, and listen On Demand with your Townsquare Radio Station Mobile App. Of course, you can still find all articles and audio under the In Touch Tab on this radio station’s app and website. And don’t forget, we are also on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram @intouch_hv.  

I’ve been your host, Conor Walsh. Until next time, stay curious, keep an open mind, and as always, I’m glad we get to Spend Some Time.