Take Action Today to Urge Legislators to Support Programs Critical to the Food System Budget!

There are state-level programs that are foundational to a thriving food system. State agencies and other organizations manage these programs, which are critical to supporting the entire food system in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Here is the list we have identified as priorities for the SFPC:

Healthy Incentives Program

The Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) provides SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients an additional $20 to purchase vegetables and fruit from local farmers in a dollar-for-dollar match. This helps our vulnerable community members eat healthier and supports our Massachusetts farming community. Fully fund HIP at $5 Million for the FY25 Supplemental budget to return to the original HIP funding of $40 to $80 monthly, depending on household size, and $25 Million for the FY26 budget in line item 4400-1004 to fully fund the program year-around.

Food Literacy

An Act to Promote Food literacy will expand food literacy education in K-12 schools across Massachusetts. This initiative would equip students with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to make informed food choices, leading to healthier communities and a more sustainable future. Fully fund the Food Literacy bill at $250,000 level funding for the school wellness coaching program.

Farm-to-School FRESH grant

This bill would codify a competitive grant program and a local food incentive within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Fully fund the bill at $2.5 million to allow school systems and early childhood programs in the Commonwealth to buy more local food, build infrastructure such as a commercial kitchen to make culturally relevant food purchased from a local farm or build raised garden beds to help children learn how to grow food and understand food nutrition.

MA Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP)

MEFAP funds a consistent supply of nutrient-dense and local food to the four Food Banks in the state that provide food to over 894 food pantries. MEFAP is a proven and stable resource that funds 31% of food provided by the Food Bank Coalition of Massachusetts. Fully fund MEFAP at $55.5 Million to help offset anticipated losses from federal cuts and the increased need we will see in all populations (elders, veterans, children, and families) while supporting locally sourced Massachusetts food from farmers and fishermen.

Local Food Policy Council grants

Massachusetts is home to over twenty food policy councils that work to strengthen the food system and increase food security. Each food policy council, whether housed in a municipal office or a non-profit, plays a critical role in breaking down silos and bringing stakeholders together that otherwise might not work together on collective food system priorities. Fully restore the $250,000 in the FY25 proposal.

Buy Local Agricultural Organizations

Buy Local Agricultural Organizations connect farmers and people, often managing farmers’ markets, providing resources and technical assistance for farmers, generating consumer awareness of where to buy local foods, and advocating for good food policies. Fully fund our Buy Locals at $900,000 to ensure the food producers continue to grow their industry.

UMass Extension

UMass Extension (The University of Massachusetts Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment) provides research, education, and technical assistance to nearly 6,000 farmers, natural resource-based businesses, and nutrition education across the state. We urge you to support level funding for FY26.

Mass in Motion

Mass in Motion is a state program promoting opportunities for healthy eating and active living, using equity data as the driving force for a healthy community. We urge you to fund $1 million for level funding.

Massachusetts Food Trust

The Massachusetts Food Trust provides loans, grants, and business organizations serving low-income, underserved areas to increase access to locally caught or harvested food in Massachusetts. We urge you to fund $300,000 for the complete administration of the program.

MDAR staffing

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is the state’s smallest agency, ensuring our food is safe, our local food economy is resilient, and agricultural resources are stewarded to enhance our environment and build sustainability for our food system.  We urge you to fund this department with $11 million in level funding.

Contact your State Representative and Senator to urge them to support these foundational food system programs.

To Email your state legislators, fill out the short form on the right.

Thank you!

The Marion Institute's Southcoast Food Policy Council Team