The new Erie County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan creates innovative strategies to guide the County to identify and protect agricultural land with development pressure, support new farms and
attract new farmers to Erie County, identify strategies to increase the financial viability of agriculture in the County, connect rural and
urban farmers with
consumers and new markets, and increase accessibility of healthy, local food for
consumers.
Retailers hope these alternative sites — in gritty
urban neighborhoods and tony town squares — will
attract consumers who may not shop in their mall store.