Organizations

Massachusetts local food system organizations, agencies, and institutions.

American Farmland Trust	Northampton	413-586-9330	Protect farmland, promote sound farming practices, and keep farmers on the land.
Berkshire Grown	Great Barrington	413-528-0041	Berkshire Grown supports and promotes local agriculture as a vital part of the Berkshire community, economy, and landscape, through advocacy, outreach, and education.
Boston Area Gleaners	Waltham	781-894-3212	Distribute local produce to food pantries and meal programs, working with farmers to provide volunteer labor to harvest what would otherwise be plowed under.
Boston Food and Farm PBC, Inc.	Brookline	857-230-0812	A social impact consulting group specializing in food systems planning and urban agriculture project development.
Boston Food Forest Coalition	Boston		Promotes food justice and sustainable urban agriculture by building relationships between neighbors, land, and food in the city.
Boston Local Food Program	Cambridge	617-395-0250	Strives to create a local food system ensuring access to healthy food for all people while supporting local food producers, farmers and entrepreneurs.
Boston Office of Food Initiatives	Boston	617-635-3717	Works to make healthy food more available and affordable in Boston and supports increased urban farming and public composting.
Boston Public Health Commission	Boston	617-534-5395	An independent public agency with the mission to protect, preserve, and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents.
Boston Public Market	Boston	617-973-4909	The Boston Public Market is an indoor, year round marketplace for locally sourced groceries and specialty agricultural products.
Cambridge Food and Fitness Policy Council	Cambridge	617-665-3809	Catalyzes action around policies, systems, and practices that make smart food choices and fitness options available to more Cambridge residents.
Cape Cod Buy Fresh Buy Local	Barnstable	508-375-6954	Connects people on Cape Cod with locally grown farm and sea products, through education and information.
Cape Cod Cooperative Extension	Barnstable	508-375-6690	Improves the health and well-being of families and communities; conserves and enhances natural and marine resources; and strengthens agriculture and food systems.
Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association	Carver	508-866-7878	Assists growers in solving everyday problems, offers assistance in regulatory compliance, sponsors professional development seminars and organizes association activities.
Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment at UMass Amherst	Amherst	413-545-4800	Integrates research and outreach education in agriculture, food systems and the environment.
Center for EcoTechnology	Statewide	413-445-4556	Provides people and businesses with practical solutions that save energy, materials and money and have a positive impact on environment and community.
Central Mass Grown	Worcester		Promotes the purchase of local agricultural products, and fosters education about its benefits to health, communities, the economy, and the environment.
Children’s Healthwatch	Boston	617-414-6366	To improve the health and development of young children by informing policies that address and alleviate economic hardships.
City Growers	Boston	617-522-0205	Transforms vacant lots in Boston into intensive urban farms that are economically and environmentally sustainable.
City Soil	Boston	617-469-8164	Improves the region’s organic waste recycling infrastructure by integrating renewable energy production with healthier, more productive soils and landscapes.
Coalition to End Hunger	Western MA		The Coalition to End Hunger is a western Massachusetts initiative to raise public awareness about hunger and engage the public to learn about, explore and act on the magnitude of hunger across our region.
Common Capital	Holyoke	413-420-0183	Provides financing and business assistance to small businesses and high-impact community projects to contribute to a thriving local economy.
CommonWealth Kitchen	Boston		Provides shared kitchens and business assistance to help entrepreneurs build food companies and strengthen our regional food economy.
Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA)	South Deerfield	413-665-7100	CISA strengthens farms and engages the community to build the local food economy.
Community Servings	Boston	617-522-7777	A not-for-profit food and nutrition program providing home-delivered meals to individuals and families living with critical and chronic illnesses.
Conservation Law Foundation Legal Food Hub	Boston / Providence	617-350-0990	CLF’s Legal Food Hub matches eligible farmers, food entrepreneurs, and food/farm organizations in New England with volunteer attorneys for free legal assistance on transactional legal matters.
Cooking Matters	Boston	617-774-1323	Provides education programming for families to help them shop for and prepare nutritious meals.
Eastie Farm	Boston	617-419-0787	Dedicated to pursuing climate justice, improving food access, and fostering community resilience through the development of interactive urban agricultural spaces and environmental education programs.
Equity Trust	Amherst	413-256-6161	Promotes equity in the world by changing the way people think about and hold property, through a variety of programs.
Farm Credit East	Statewide	800-562-2235	Offers specialized lending and financial services to Northeast agriculture, commercial fishing, and forest product industries.
Federation of Massachusetts Farmers Markets	Waltham	781-893-8222	FMFM works to improve the health of individuals, strengthen community vitality, and enhance local farm viability through farmers markets.
Food Bank of Western Massachusetts	Hatfield	413-247-9738	Distributes food to member agencies (meal sites, emergency pantries, and shelters) in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties.
Food Corps Massachusetts	Statewide	212-596-7045	Provides education and support with the goal of healthy food in schools.
Food for Free	Cambridge	617-868-2900	Rescues fresh food—food that might otherwise go to waste—and distributes it within the local emergency food system where it can reach those in need.
Food Law and Policy Clinic at Harvard Law School	Cambridge	617-495-5202	Provides students with the opportunity to practice using legal and policy tools in order to address the health, environmental, and economic impacts of our food system.
Food Link	Arlington	781 819 4225	Food Link delivers nutritious food, including fresh fruits and vegetables, milk and eggs, to organizations that serve low income people in the Arlington area.
Franklin Land Trust	Shelburne Falls	413-625-9151	Assists farmers and other landowners who want to protect their land from unwanted development, by encouraging private stewardship by landowners.
Gardening the Community	Springfield	413-693-5340	A food justice organization engaged in youth development, urban agriculture and sustainable living to build healthy and equitable communities.
Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association	Gloucester	978-283-2504	Promotes the New England fishing industry, helps to preserve the Atlantic Ocean as a food supply, and assists fishermen and their families to live better lives.
Green City Growers	Somerville	617-776 1400	Transforms unused space into thriving urban farms, providing clients with access to nutritious food while revitalizing city landscapes.
Greening Greenfield	Greenfield	413-774-5038	A group of concerned citizens working with residents, businesses and town government to build a more sustainable Greenfield.
Groundwork Lawrence	Lawrence	978-974-0770	Builds community through its environmental and open space improvements, healthy food access programs, youth education, employment initiatives, and more.
Groundwork Somerville	Somerville	617-628-9988	Works toward sustained regeneration, improvement and management of the physical environment through the development of community-based partnerships.
Grow Food Northampton	Northampton	413-320-4799	Building a just and resilient local food system that nourishes its community and the earth through land access, food access and education.
Health Care Without Harm	Statewide	703-860-9790	Works to transform health care to reduce its environmental footprint and to allow it to become a community anchor for sustainability.
Health Resources in Action	Boston	617-451-0049	Develops programs with partners that advance public health and medical research, with the goal of resolving today’s most critical public health issues.
Ipswich River Watershed Association	Ipswich	978-412-8200	Works in partnership with communities, businesses, schools, and other organizations and residents to protect the Ipswich River.
Island Grown Initiative	Vineyard Haven	508-687-9062	Supports a resilient & accessible food system on Martha’s Vineyard by providing food and agriculture education and developing local food system infrastructure.
Just Roots	Greenfield	413-325-8969	A nonprofit community organization working to increase knowledge about and demand for local food in Franklin County.
Land For Good	Statewide	603-357-1600	Working to ensure the future of farming in New England by putting more farmers more securely on more land.
Lovin’ Spoonfuls	Boston	617-390-4450	Facilitates the rescue and distribution of healthy, fresh food that would otherwise be discarded.
Massachusetts 4H Foundation	Framingham	508-881-1244	Generates and provides resources to help expand the 4-H program in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts 4H Youth Development	Amherst	413-545-2646	A youth development program open to youth ages 5 through 18, part of a nationwide system connected to land-grant higher ed institutions.
Massachusetts Agricultural Fairs Association	Abington	508-468-1552	Encourages, promotes and preserves agricultural activities in the commonwealth through its members and their individual programs.
Massachusetts Aquaculture Association	Eastham		Its purpose is to promote the continued development of shellfish and fish farming, and to improve conditions affecting aquaculture in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Association of Agricultural Commissions	Statewide		Provides education, training, support, and networking opportunities individual agricultural commission members, while building support for agriculture and ag commissions.
Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations	Boston	617-426-0303	Association of community development organizations dedicated to working together and with others to create stronger communities.
Massachusetts Association of Conservation Districts	Westford		Offers education modules that can be used to train district staff about the fundamental principles and operations of conservation districts.
Massachusetts Association of Dairy Farmers	Conway	413-369-4656	Encourages and promotes all interests which have for their purpose the advancement of a truly viable dairy industry.
Massachusetts Association of Health Boards	Boston		MAHB’s assists and supports boards of health through programs of education, technical assistance, representation, and resource development.
Massachusetts Association of Lawn Care Professionals	Stow	781-274-7373	Serves as an information resource to association members, legislators and Boards of Health, as well as the general public.
Massachusetts Audubon Society	Lincoln	781-259-9500	Serves as a leader and a catalyst for conservation, by acting directly to protect nature, and by stimulating individual and institutional action.
Massachusetts Beekeepers Association	Statewide	978-887-5726	MassBee is uniting beekeepers through education, advocacy and sponsorship, facilitating the sharing of information, events & resources here in MA and beyond.
Massachusetts Cheese Guild	Westport	978-501-3142	Advances the production, image, and enjoyment of premier cheeses from Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center	Boston	617-315-9355	A publicly-funded agency working to accelerate the success of clean energy technologies, companies and projects in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR)	Boston	617-626-1700	State agency working to keep Massachusetts agriculture economically and environmentally sound.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education	Malden	781-338-3000	Provides a variety of resources in support of elementary and secondary education in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection	Boston	617-292-5500	A state agency that ensures clean air and water, manages toxics safely, coordinates waste recycling, and preserves wetlands and coastal resources.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health	Boston	617-624-6000	State agency responsible for food safety regulation.
Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance	Boston	617-573-1600	A state agency that provides Massachusetts residents with food and nutritional assistance, cash assistance, and employment supports.
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries	New Bedford	617-626-1520	Develops and promulgates state rules and regulations governing commercial and recreational fishing, and works to balance marine resources with coastal culture.
Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation	Marlborough	508-481-4766	An independent, non-governmental, voluntary organization representing agriculture in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Farm Energy Program	Statewide	413-727-3090	Offers a range of services to the farming community to reduce energy use and produce renewable energy that focus on bringing projects from concept to completion.
Massachusetts Farm to School Project	Easthampton	413-253-3844	Facilitates purchasing relationships between local institutions and farms, promotes local food and agriculture education for students, and supports practitioner networking.
Massachusetts Farm Wineries & Growers Association	Statewide		Encourages consumer awareness of Massachusetts wines and promotes a positive business environment for continued growth and production of Massachusetts grown wines.
Massachusetts Forest Alliance	Marlborough	617-455-9918	Advocates for a sustainable forest economy, responsible forest management practices, private land equity, and the continuation of working forests on public and private lands.
Massachusetts Fruit Growers Association	Amherst		Encourages the growing and marketing of fruits adapted to this climate.
Massachusetts Future Farmers of America Association	Dighton		Promotes agriculture and leadership among youth and provides students in agricultural education with opportunities to succeed.
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute Food SNAP Advocacy Project	Boston	617-357-0700	Uses legal and policy advocacy to alleviate food insecurity and hunger in Massachusetts by increasing SNAP participation and benefits amounts.
Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association	Scituate	781-545-6984	A member-driven organization that accepts and supports the interdependence of species conservation and the members’ collective economic interests.
Massachusetts Maple Producers Association	Plainfield	413-628-3912	A nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of maple sugaring in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association	Conway	413-369-4731	Provides members (nursery and landscape professionals) with educational opportunities, industry news, legislative representation, and business development resources.
Massachusetts Partnership for Food Safety Education	Amherst		Provides easy access to information, education and training resources for food safety principles and topics in multiple languages.
Massachusetts Public Health Association	Boston	857-263-7072	A private, non-profit, statewide membership organization that promotes a healthy Massachusetts through advocacy, education, community organizing, and coalition-building.
Massachusetts Restaurant Association	Southborough	508-303-9905	Provides access, influence and protection to restaurant professionals allowing for the opportunity to lead thriving businesses.
Massachusetts State Grange	Statewide		Promotes local agriculture and agricultural education, through local granges and through partnerships with other organizations.
MassDevelopment	Boston	617-330-2000	Stimulates business, drives economic growth, and helps communities thrive across Massachusetts, through a variety of initiatives.
Mass in Motion	Boston	617-624-5070	A statewide movement, coordinated by the state health agency, that promotes opportunities for healthy eating and active living
Merrimack Valley Food Bank	Lowell	978-454-7272	Transports, stores, and distributes food to people in need, working with 131 agencies serving 47 cities and towns in Massachusetts and Southern NH.
Mill City Grows	Lowell	978-455-2620	Promotes increased access to land, locally-grown food and education, with the goal of fostering food justice.
Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust	Athol	978-248-2043	Protects significant natural, agricultural, and scenic areas, and encourages land stewardship, in 23 towns in Franklin and Worcester Counties.
Neighboring Food Co-Op Association	Shelburne Falls		A co-operative federation of food co-ops and start-up initiatives working toward a thriving co-operative economy and a healthy, just, and sustainable regional food system.
New England Apples	Hatfield	203-439-7006	Promotes the New England apple industry through educational and promotional events and projects.
New England Small Farm Institute	Belchertown	413-323-4531	Promotes small farm development by providing information and training for aspiring, beginning and transitioning farmers.
New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Assocation	Amherst		Supports and promotes the vegetable and berry industry in New England.
New Entry Sustainable Farming Project	Lowell	978-654-6745	Provides critical training, career development, and economic opportunity to new farmers.
New Lands Farm	Worcester	774-243-3900	Provides access to land, training and technical assistance, and collective marketing opportunities to immigrant and refugee farmers.
NOAA Fisheries	Statewide	978-282-8494	Promotes sustainable fisheries, recovery of protected species, and the health of coastal marine habitats.
Northeast Harvest	Northeastern Mass		Provides programs to help consumers discover, enjoy and support the farmers and local agriculture in Essex and Middlesex Counties.
Northeast Organic Farming Association / Massachusetts Chapter	Barre	978-355-2853	Through education programs and advocacy NOFA/Mass promotes organic agriculture to expand the production and availability of nutritious food from living soil.
North Shore Alliance for Economic Development	Salem	978-744-4430	Serves as the economic development engine for a dynamic and evolving regional economy, connecting start-ups and existing businesses to needed resources.
Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance	Gloucester	978-865-3178	A fishermen-led organization building a broad movement toward healthy fisheries and fishing communities.
Nuestras Raices	Holyoke	413-535-1789	Promotes agriculture, cultural foodways, and food access in Holyoke.
Partners for a Healthier Community, Inc.	Springfield	413-794-7739	Provides skills, expertise and experience to create successful public health campaigns and sustainable system changes to improve health and well-being in Western MA.
Pioneer Valley Workers Center	Northampton	413-570-3060	Works to build power for low-wage and immigrant workers in Western Mass through innovative and creative worker-driven organizing strategies.
Project Bread	Boston	617-723-5000	Project Bread works to promote sustainable and reliable access to healthy food for all, and to collaborate with others in building a robust regional food system.
PVGrows Investment Fund	South Deerfield	413-665-7100	Provides financing and technical assistance to farm and food businesses through community investments.
Real Food Challenge UMass Amherst	Amherst	413-545-8682	UMass Dining has committed to buy at least 20% local food annually by 2020 and thereby use their tremendous purchasing power to support a healthy food system.
Red Tomato	Plainville	508-316-3494	Distributes affordable local food across the Northeast using existing wholesale distribution systems.
Regional Environmental Council	Worcester	508-799-9139	Creates access to food for Worcester’s most food insecure communities and promotes community leadership through youth development and community garden programs.
Rescuing Leftover Cuisine	Boston	401-965-4532	Rescues food to feed the hungry in the State of Massachusetts.
ReVision Urban Farm	Boston	617-822-3276	Provides fresh food to nearby shelter residents and the surrounding community.
Sheffield Land Trust	Sheffield	413-229-0234	Protects the land essential to Sheffield’s natural, scenic, agricultural and rural character through stewardship and working with landowners.
Slow Money Pioneer Valley	South Deerfield	413-665-7100	Catalyzes community-based investment in the local food system by connecting investors with farmers and local food entrepreneurs.
Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership	South Dartmouth	508-524-2601	Provides technical assistance to farmers, educates on the importance of local agriculture, and works to increase the functionality of the region’s food system.
Southeastern Massachusetts Food Security Network	New Bedford		A coalition of food pantries, farms, foundations, and social service agencies working together to promote food security in Southeastern Massachusetts.
Springfield Food Policy Council	Springfield		Oversees coordination of public and private efforts to improve access to nutritious, affordable, culturally appropriate, fresh, and safe foods for Springfield residents.
Stock Pot Malden	Malden	781-605-1426	Provides education, support, and equipment for local food businesses.
Sustainable Nantucket	Nantucket	508-228-3399	Cultivates a healthy Nantucket by building a more locally-based and self-reliant food system on-island, and a strong local economy.
The Carrot Project	Boston	617-674-2371	Facilitates access to financing and business support for small farms and food businesses.
The Food Project	Lincoln	781-259-8621	Working to create a thoughtful and productive community of youth and adults from diverse backgrounds who work together to build a sustainable food system.
The Greater Boston Food Bank	Boston	617-427-5200	Distributes food to needy people in Eastern Massachusetts and provides nutrition education.
The Trustees of Reservations	Statewide	978-921-1944	The Trustees preserve, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts.
Toxics Action Center	Statewide	617-292-4821	Works side-by-side with communities, providing them with the skills and resources needed to prevent or clean up pollution at the local level.
Trust for Public Land	Statewide	415-495-4014	Creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come.
Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy	Boston	617-636-3737	Pursues research and education, from cell to society, in a number of areas involving human nutrition science and policy.
UMass Amherst Department of Food Science	Amherst	413-545-2276	UMass Amherst department providing education and research findings on a variety of areas in food science.
UMass Amherst Labor Center	Amherst	413-545 4875	Offers academic programs and research focused on economic justice, labor movements, and working people and their organizations in the US and around the world.
Urban Farmers Agriculture Academy	Spencer	508-713-8539	Provides nutritious food to low-income families in Worcester County, while providing gainful employment and educational opportunities to at risk Worcester youth.
Urban Farming Institute of Boston	Boston	617-989-9920	Supports the development of urban farming (the growing of agricultural products for income) in Boston and in other urban areas of Massachusetts.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Massachusetts	Amherst	413-253-4350	A federal agency that works hand-in-hand with the people of Massachusetts to improve and protect their soil, water and other natural resources.
USDA Rural Development Massachusetts	Amherst	413-253-4300	Provides loans and technical assistance to help improve the economy and quality of life in rural areas.
Waltham Fields Community Farm	Waltham	781-899-2403	Promotes local agriculture and food access through farming operations and educational programs.
Western Massachusetts Food Processing Center	Greenfield	413-774-7204	Promotes economic development through entrepreneurship, provides opportunities for sustaining local agriculture, and promotes best practices for food producers.
Wholesome Wave	Statewide	203-226-1112	Empowers under-served consumers to make healthier food choices by increasing affordable access to fresh, local food.
Worcester County Food Bank	Shrewsbury	508-842-3663	The region’s leading anti-hunger organization distributing over 6 million pounds of donated food and grocery product in partnership with food donors,
Worcester Food and Active Living Policy Council	Worcester	508-723-4550	Brings together the many actors and players who wish to affect the Worcester food system so that issues may be raised and solutions created.
Worcester Regional Food Hub	Worcester		A collaborative project that aims to strengthen sustainable agriculture, increase access to local, nutritious food, and help incubate local food entrepreneurs throughout Central Massachusetts.
Worcester Roots Project	Worcester	508-343-0035	A collective of youth and adult organizers creating opportunities for economic, social and environmental justice by supporting green projects and initiatives.