BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced an award of nearly $250,000 in Local Food Policy Council program funding to 17 organizations across Massachusetts. 

 

This includes an $11,820 grant for South Berkshire Rural Health Network that will be used to develop a strategic plan and improve connections to the region's most vulnerable residents.

 

"Massachusetts' local food policy councils and food working groups are vital to the fabric of our food system and help connect communities to healthy, nutritious foods. We are happy to recognize and invest in this important work," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "This support is critical, especially as our local food system weathers an increasingly volatile climate." 

 

The capacity of the South Berkshire Rural Health Network's coordinator will be supported by funding for increased time and consultant support. Outcomes will include the development of a Plan that addresses system change, increased capacity of the coordinator to facilitate ongoing strategic planning, equity as a vital component of the work, and the strengthening of collaborative relationships among partners through formal and informal structures to build a healthy food network and sustainable local system.??? 

 

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources' (MDAR) grants will enhance the work of existing and new local food policy councils and food working groups across Massachusetts. The grants will help to accelerate their development, expand their capacity, and increase their connections and opportunities for peer-to-peer learning to support the Massachusetts local food system.   

 

"We greatly appreciate this appropriation from our partners in the state legislature to provide these grants to our Massachusetts local food policy councils and food working groups," said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. "Projects and initiatives funded through this program will develop and continue work to impact the long-term viability and sustainability of our local food system in Massachusetts."