News

The Massachusetts Food System Collaborative invites all local food system partners to a rally on the State House steps from 12 – 1pm on Tuesday October 28, in response to the ongoing federal shutdown’s impacts on SNAP and other federal nutrition programs.  Please arrive at noon for the speaking program to begin at 12:15. We […]

Massachusetts and regional food businesses invited to join 2025 Local Food Count The Local Food Count regional campaign invites retailers, grocers, institutions, distributors, food hubs, and restaurants to help strengthen local food systems by tracking local food purchasing and sales. Food and beverage establishments and organizations across Massachusetts and New England are invited to participate […]

The 2025 Massachusetts Food System Forum is generously sponsored by the following organizations. Interested in sponsoring? Email Kristina@mafoodsystem.org.

We look forward to seeing you at the 2025 Massachusetts Food System Forum on November 21, 2025 at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester. Below is more information about the event program and sessions. Agenda 8:00 – 9:00 Breakfast & Check-in9:00 – 9:25 Welcome & Opening Remarks9:30 – 11:30 Morning Sessions11:30 – 12:00 Networking12:00 […]

The Collaborative is seeking proposals for workshops for the 2025 Food System Forum, which will be held on November 21, 2025. Please see this request for proposals for more information and this form to submit your ideas by September 12th! Please note, proposals do not have to be complex or fully fleshed out. We will work with presenters to finalize […]

The fiscal year 2026 budget was signed into law by Governor Healey on July 4, 2025. The budget includes $20 million in new funding plus $1 million of carried forward funding for HIP, for a total of $21 million. This should be enough for year-round benefit of $40 for all SNAP households, regardless of size. The Collaborative […]

In late May, the Massachusetts Senate completed its budget debate, resulting in some budgetary wins for the local food system. The Senate budget includes $1,000,000 for food literacy, $250,000 for the local food policy council grant program, and funds the MDAR administrative budget at the same level as the House. Unfortunately, the Senate did not […]

The 2025 Massachusetts Food System Forum will be held in Worcester at The College of the Holy Cross on Friday, November 21, 2025. Event Address: Hogan Campus Center, College of the Holy Cross, 1 College St, Worcester, MA As in past years, we expect more than 300 partners, people with lived experiences, and leaders from […]

More than 1,000 amendments have been introduced to the Massachusetts Senate Committee on Ways and Means draft Fiscal Year 2026 budget (S.3). Senators now have one week to review and consider these amendments before debating and voting on a final budget starts on May 19th. Senators may choose to cosponsor as many amendments as they […]

In April, the House debated and passed their Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal. House Ways and Means Chairman Aaron Michlewitz mentioned the Healthy Incentives Program during a press conference and on the House floor (you can watch this in the recording from day 1 of debate here, starting at 14:05), and Chair of the Joint […]