The Healthy Incentives Program gives SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) recipients in Massachusetts $40 to $80 each month to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers, depending on the household size. The Collaborative has advocated for the HIP program over the last five years and secured increased state funding for this program. […]
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The legislature’s formal session for 2021-22 wrapped up on July 31, and while there still may be some movement on bills during the informal session things will be relatively quiet on Beacon Hill until the new legislature is seated in January, as attention turns to campaigns. The biggest news of the past few months was […]
read more…This week the MA House of Representatives is considering H5007, an economic development bond bill. Please call your representatives TODAY (7/12/22) and urge them to support three amendments that would provide needed support for the Commonwealth’s local food system. Find your representative’s contact information here. #97: DESE/USDA Local Food for Schools (Schmid). This amendment would […]
read more…Campaign for HIP Funding members have developed many resources for their local HIP consumers over the years. These resources include videos, templates for flyers, translated materials that can be printed out and distributed, and more! This page is intended as a resource for Campaign members and those who want to learn more about HIP. CISA […]
read more…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. […]
read more…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 […]
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The Collaborative leads the Campaign for HIP Funding to ensure that the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), which provides fresh, healthy, local foods for SNAP recipients, receives increased funding to meet demand, operates year-round, and adds new farmers to fill gaps in program coverage.
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The Healthy Incentives Program is transforming families, farms, and communities. More than 100,000 families have used HIP, and more than 240 farmers grow and sell crops through the program. These are some of their stories. “We know we are helping the farmers as well. We support local farmers and businesses. If people don’t support farmers, […]
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When asked about why she shops at the Regional Environmental Council farmers markets, Aliza is quick to bring the conversation to her two year old son, Killian. A regular at the winter markets, she began cooking with beets for the first time this year. Aliza says, “There’s a lot of stuff at the market we […]
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When asked about why he shops at farmers markets, Ilir says, “Quality is a must.” Ilir shops at the Worcester Regional Environmental Council farmers markets for his family, including his wife and two children, ages six and three. He also frequently picks up produce for his father, who found out about the farmers market program […]
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