We just received an important update on the Massachusetts Food Trust, and want to share it with all of you. Originally approved in 2014, the Mass Food Trust will provide flexible funding options for food-related programs and food entrepreneurship. When considered in tandem with new urban agriculture ordinances for the city of Worcester, the Food Trust can provide funding for local folks interested in starting up their own urban-ag projects and businesses in the form of grants and low-interest loans. You can see why we think it’s a big deal.
Last August, we asked folks to reach out to their state legislators during the final markup of the budget to ensure that funding for the MA Food Trust was approved – and it worked. When the budget was approved, it included $100,000 for the administrative costs of getting the program up and running in 2017. Also in August, Governor Baker signed an Economic Development Bill that authorized $6 million in capital costs for the Food Trust. The funds have been authorized, but they’re not yet released. The letter from Kristina St. Cyr at the Massachusetts Public Health Association lays out next steps and action items in the upcoming month. We’ll be updating with reminders, so please LIKE our Facebook page to stay in the loop.
Greetings Massachusetts Food Trust supporters,
It’s that time of year again—state budget time! A lot has happened since this time last year with the Massachusetts Food Trust, many accomplishments and changes have taken place. We are a couple steps closer to getting the Massachusetts Food Trust authorized funding released and the program launched. Please keep reading for some important updates and action requests to keep moving this healthy food financing campaign forward!
Massachusetts Food Trust Updates
Last year’s accomplishments
- In last year’s state budget we were able to secure $100,000 in the FY17 Operating Budget for the operating expenses of the Massachusetts Food Trust program. These funds will help with the administrative costs of getting the program up and running.
- The Economic Development Bill signed by Governor Baker in August 2016 included a $6 million authorization for the capital costs of the Massachusetts Food Trust—the funds that will help provide loans and grants to new and expanded healthy food retailers and enterprises in low and moderate income communities. While this bill authorized $6 million in capital funding for the Massachusetts Food Trust, getting these funds released in the FY18 Capital Budget will require concerted effort in the coming months.
New this year
- The Massachusetts Food Trust, originally established under the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, is currently undergoing an interagency transfer to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). This means that we’ll be working with EEA to get the $6 million in capital funding released and to launch the program. EEA has experience administering other food programs and we are excited for them to add the Massachusetts Food Trust into their line-up of programs that increase access to healthy food and jobs in low and moderate income communities.
Actions You Can Take to Advocate for the Massachusetts Food Trust
Call your state Representative & Senator this week
- Contact your state Representative and Senator and ask them to support the Massachusetts Food Trust by including a request of $100,000 for the operating expenses of the Massachusetts Food Trust in line item 2000-0100 in the FY18 operating budget. These funds were included in the final FY17 operating budget (last year’s budget) so we want to make sure to maintain these funds which will help EEA’s staff get the Massachusetts Food Trust up and running. (Updated fact sheet with request attached).
SAVE THE DATE
- Thursday April 13th and Friday April 14th will be a key time to call and email your state representative for some budget advocacy. Please block some time on your calendar now and we’ll follow-up that week with a specific advocacy ask for you to make.
Phone calls and emails from constituents are among the most effective actions you can take to help ensure healthy food access for all.
