g.l.f.

The mission of g.l.f. is to provide the most nutritious, freshest, diversified, local foods to the greatest number of New York State residents, and is also a guiding principal for the company

History

The acronym g.l.f.TM re-incarnated as great local foods TM today, holds special, historical significance to Regional Access and the mission which defines our company and nourishes our growth.

The earliest incarnation of g.l.f.TM was the Grange League Federation, an original New York State farmers co-op founded in 1920, and headquartered in Ithaca, NY. Regional Access has always derived inspiration from the Grange League Federation, for the cooperative nature it established in the farming communities in Upstate New York. Organizations like the Grange League Federation, laid the groundwork; and today provide a structure and exemplify the potential, for the modern re-incarnation of the many forms of cooperatives Regional Access sees, celebrates and cultivates; and which hold the key to re-establishing a local food economy that once thrived across the great Empire State.

In 1920 the New York State Grange, the State Farm Bureau and the Dairymen’s League teamed up to form the Grange League Federation (G.L.F) a farmer’s supply cooperative, based in Ithaca, NY. The formation of the G.L.F, as a larger, more encompassing and influential organization, allowed farmers and their communities more market power in their transactions, while playing active political and social roles in everyday life.

Establishing the connection between Regional Access’ and the Grange League Federation early on, our original home was the retired GLF warehouse at 125 Cayuga Street in Trumansburg, NY. Built in 19xx this great wooden warehouse had been the heartbeat of local agriculture for over 50 years. Many Trumansburg community members have fond memories of the local GFL: loading sacks of products from grandpa’s farm onto the warehouse dock; or watching train cars fill from the grain elevator on the back-side of the building.

In many ways our goal with great. local. foods. is to return us to our roots of the Grange League Federation.

Our vision for the future has Regional Access coordinating cooperation of farmers and food producers.

g.l.f.™

From the neighbors…For the neighbors

The great local foodsTM of New York State are a cornerstone to Regional Access and our product selection. New York State has a rich history as one of the country’s great agricultural regions, and is home to an explosion of local flavors. From fresh fruits & vegetables, grains & legumes to superbly crafted cheeses and world class wines, our region’s bounty is a marvelous one to behold.

Mind-bluing! Try “Cayuga Blue” goat cheese from Lively Run Goat Dairy; it is what g.l.f. is all about. Pastured goats on a family farm, produced in small batches just a few miles away from our warehouse, and absolutely delicious!

Celebrating our 20th year of sourcing and distributing NY’s finest locally produced foods, we are pleased to introduce great local foodsTM our official, ever-expanding, consolidated list of products from right here in our own Empire State. From Brooklyn to Buffalo, Poughkeepsie to Potsdam and of course right here in Ithaca, you will find g.l.f.TM products in the state’s finest restaurants and retailers.

The mission of g.l.f.TM is to provide the most nutritious, freshest, diversified, local foods to the greatest number of New York State residents, and is also a guiding principal on which Regional Access is founded.

great local foodsTM are the most fulfilling aspect of Regional Access; realizing our integral role as the messenger spreading our state’s bounty for each New Yorker to enjoy, and celebrating in the growth of our state’s localized, sustainable, food economies. g.l.f.TM is founded on our long-standing partnerships with farmers, producers, stores, restaurants and consumers, creating a state-wide fine food network. These partnerships originate from a common desire to make local foods available to each New Yorker, allowing us all to share our state’s marvelous bounty; and a responsibility to preserve the sustainable economies for all parties. Here’s to great eating!

download our latest catalog here!

Initial “g.l.f™” catalog!

The best of exclusive great. local. foods™ that Regional Access has to offer. These items are of the highest quality, and many of them are produced within 100 miles of our home.

Great_Local_Foods_Catalog.pdf

UPDATED: 10/01/09

Office Hours:

Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm

Warehouse Pickups:

Thursday, Friday 12pm - 4pm