CHICOPEE, Mass. — Five farms in Berkshire County are benefiting from more than $26.3 million in agricultural grants announced by Gov. Maura Healey on Thursday.

 

The grants through the Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program are to strengthen Massachusetts' food supply system and mitigate future food supply and distribution disruption issues. For the first time in the history of the program, the administration prioritized projects that support organizations impacted by drought or extreme weather events.

 

Fairfields Dairy Farm LLC in Williamstown is getting $217,300; Cavu Farms in Cheshire, $223,170; Berkshire Bounty in Great Barrington, $67,371.89; Holiday Brook Farm in Dalton, $31,914.90; and Many Forks Farm in Clarksburg, $12,921. 

 

There are 165 projects in total being funded.

 

"In speaking to farmers over the past week, it's clear that they need support now more than ever after being hit hard by extreme weather events from flooding to drought to late frost,"?said Healey, who made the announcement at Fruit Fair Supermarket.?"Our farmers are the backbone of Massachusetts' food infrastructure, and it's critical that we continue to make short and long-term investments through grants like these to help strengthen resiliency and enhance mitigation efforts." 

 

The program was created to combat urgent food insecurity resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. It seeks to ensure that farmers, fishers, and other local food producers are better connected to a strong, resilient food system to help mitigate future supply chain issues. The recent flooding in Western and central Massachusetts is expected to have a further impact on food security in Massachusetts, as many affected farms play an important role in combating hunger. 

 

Healey-Driscoll administration officials have been assessing damage at farms and discussing recovery and mitigation efforts over the past week. The FSIG program is designed to ensure farmers and other local food producers are better connected to a strong and resilient food system. For the first time in the history of this program, the administration prioritized projects that support organizations impacted by drought or extreme weather events.? 

 

Healey was joined Thursday by Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper, Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle and state and local officials.

 

More information on the Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program can be found here.