By John Lebeaux
John Lebeaux
The events of the past year have highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of our food system, and the importance of investing in urban food production and land access. The pandemic has significantly increased food insecurity in Massachusetts, while agricultural and food businesses have suffered due to supply chain disruptions and loss of key markets. This year’s spotlight on racial injustice has also illuminated the disparities in land access and food production in urban and minority communities.
Access to land is essential for those who seek to increase productive green spaces, specifically for fresh food production. At the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), we recognize the importance of land sovereignty within urban neighborhoods as it contributes to environmental justice and ensuring equity for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) farmers. Nationally, the USDA’s 2017 Agricultural Census indicates that 95 perce
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The Baker-Polito Administration announced over $13.2 million in grants to address urgent food insecurity for residents across the Commonwealth as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This funding is being awarded as part of the final rounds of the $36 million Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program, created following recommendations from the administration’s COVID-19 Command Center’s Food Security Task Force, which promotes ongoing efforts to ensure that individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth have access to healthy, local food.
Local awards include:
• Bob s Turkey Farm, Lancaster, $45,000: To meet the changing needs of the ongoing pandemic, program funding will go towards the purchasing of important infrastructure at the farm, including the cold storage of turkeys. Furthermore, the farm dedicates approximately 10% of sales each week to SNAP recipients and provides several donations to local food pantries and organizations in the area.
Standard-Times Staff
The Baker-Polito administration announced last week more than $13.2 million in grants to address food insecurity amid the COVID-19 pandemic. About $900,000 of that went to organizations and businesses on the SouthCoast.
“Our Administration is grateful to the food banks, nonprofits, schools and food producers who have stepped up this past year to make sure healthy food gets into the hands of Massachusetts residents, children and communities struggling with food insecurity,” said Gov. Charlie Baker in a statement.
On the SouthCoast, recipients included fish processors, farms and food pantries.
M&P Fishing Corporation, which owns F/V Fishermen, received $85,475 to help modernize its vessel with new technology that will increase efficiency while fishing and save on fuel costs, according to the press release.
$109K grant to help Riverland Farm in Sunderland improve food access
Emily Landeck and Meghan Arquin, owners of Riverland Farm in Sunderland, talk to those gathered at their farm on Thursday. Staff Photo/Paul Franz
Winter vegetables at Riverland Farm in Sunderland. Staff Photo/Paul Franz
John LeBeaux of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources announces grants at Riverland Farm in Sunderland on Thursday. Staff Photo/Paul Franz
Meghan Arquin and Emily Landeck, owners of Riverland Farm in Sunderland, talk to those gathered at their farm on Thursday. Staff Photo/Paul Franz
Rachel Berggren of the Franklin County Community Meals Program speaks at Riverland Farm in Sunderland on Thursday. Staff Photo/Paul Franz