News

The second round of Food Security Infrastructure Grants were announced in April, distributing $22.5 million to 147 projects ranging from farms and fisheries, to food pantries and schools. In the two rounds of funding, the state has committed $62 million to essential food supply chain projects through this program, helping sustain farms and emergency food […]

The Senate Committee on Ways and Means released its draft budget on May 10. More than 1,100 amendments were filed over the next few days, and debate led to the final passage of the chamber’s proposed FY23 budget on May 26. Numerous local food system priorities were proposed, and many were included in the final […]

The Senate Committee on Ways and Means introduced its budget proposal on May 10. There were many proposed investments that reflect advocacy on the part of food system stakeholders, including support for Buy Local organizations and MEFAP, and a commitment to continue funding HIP program growth. The chart below reflects these proposals and others, and stakeholders and […]

The Senate is now considering amendments to the FY2023 budget, including the amendment to provide a grant program for food policy councils. Please email or call your senators by this Friday and ask them to co-sponsor Amendment #34. We have created this one-pager about some of the wonderful work that food policy councils have done around the state. Here is a script: Hello Senator —,  My […]

The Collaborative works to build the capacity of local food system stakeholders to engage in state level policy to build a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient food system. Advocacy describes a broad range of activities; from sending an email or signing on to a group letter, to learning how to speak with legislators and meeting […]

The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed its budget on April 27. It includes many investments that reflect advocacy on the part of food system stakeholders, including funding for a full year of universal school meals, support for Buy Local organizations and MEFAP, and a commitment to continue funding HIP program growth. Numerous amendments were filed […]

The House Committee on Ways and Means introduced its budget proposal on April 13. There were many proposed investments that reflect advocacy on the part of food system stakeholders, including funding for a full year of universal school meals, support for Buy Local organizations and MEFAP, and a commitment to continue funding HIP program growth. […]

Participate in upcoming online listening sessions Massachusetts is developing its plan to address climate change, and farmers need to provide input to ensure that the plan fairly represents the needs of agriculture and the role that farmers can play in helping the state meet its goals. Four listening sessions will be held over the next […]

Please join us at a Listening Session to provide input for the development of the MA Farmland Action Plan. The purpose of the MA Farmland Action plan is to develop state level goals and recommendations for increasing farmland protection, farmland access, food security, and the long-term economic and environmental viability of farms across all regions […]

On Tuesday, Governor Baker proudly proclaimed in his State of the Commonwealth Address: “Our food insecurity programs served millions of residents across the Commonwealth and brought together partners and providers, ranging from foundations to farmers’ markets to food banks. The knowledge gained has created new, permanent investments and better approaches to supplying and distributing food […]