PFAS: A shared environmental obstacle – Notes | Recording
This panel discussed PFAS, what they are, and how they impact all food system stakeholders. Speakers shared environmental impacts of PFAS, efforts to address PFAS, and state policy responses across New England.
The climate crisis and climate resilient Massachusetts agriculture – Notes | Recording
The climate is warming rapidly and farmers practices are changing to adapt. This panel discussed the opportunities and challenges for climate resilient agriculture, and how state policy change could help.
Farmland access: Obtaining land for new and historically underserved farmers – Notes | Recording
Obtaining farmland is increasingly difficult as farmland sells for more than $14,000 an acre, and prime farmland is lost to abandonment, development or other land uses. This panel discussed the difficulty of land access for young, beginning, and BIPOC farmers, what the current landscape looks like for financial assistance, and how policy change could help.
Unpacking the true costs of local food – Notes | Recording
As farmers face rising costs and consumers encounter high prices at markets, understanding the costs of food is more critical than ever before. This panel touched upon the multifaceted aspects of food pricing beyond mere market price. We discussed strategies for effectively communicating the importance of local food and examine how we can address the costs that affect both farmers and consumers by supporting local food.
Urban Agriculture & challenges around advocacy – Notes | Recording
Urban agriculture practitioners connect urban residents with the food system, increase access to local food, build community, and engage residents in advocacy. This session explored urban agriculture efforts rooted in community, and advocacy for municipal-level policies and practices that support urban agriculture.
Accelerating food waste reduction 10 years into the food waste ban – Notes | Recording
This panel discussed food waste reduction progress in Massachusetts 10 years into the commercial food waste ban. We explored food waste’s impact on the environment, efforts to reduce and redirect food waste and the ban’s impact on them, and opportunities to build on success so far and advance complementary waste reduction efforts.
Expanding and Enhancing Food System Education – Notes | Recording
This panel explored models for food system education for students, and how partnerships between schools and nonprofit organizations can develop food literacy in students. We discussed the barriers to delivering food system education and the supports needed to strengthen and expand food system education throughout the state.
Furthering implementation of Massachusetts’ food system plans – Notes | Recording
This panel focused on the Farmland Action Plan and the Healthy Soils Action Plan. Key points of discussion included: sharing out what work being done currently, discussing next steps, and plans for partnering on implementation. We also discussed the upcoming 10 year anniversary of the Massachusetts Local Food Action Plan.
Bridging Land and Sea: Collaboration Between Farmers and Fishermen for a Sustainable Future: a Case Study from Cape Cod – Notes | Recording
This panel focused on the collaborations between Cape Cod fishermen and farmers and on leveraging their unique strengths and addressing shared challenges. Key points of discussion included shared innovation (climate adaptation strategies, biodiversity conservation), policy advocacy (access to funding, infrastructure improvements), and community engagement and education (consumer flexibility based on availability of species).
