These are the fiscal year 2024 awardees:
Carter & Stevens Farm, LLC – Barre, MA
- $331,441.00
Carter & Stevens Farm LLC will add a creamery to their dairy farm operation, allowing the farm to turn raw milk into value-added products that will be offered at their existing farm stand, distributed to area shops, and supplied to the local food bank. Equipment purchased in this project will enable Carter & Stevens to pasteurize and bottle milk, as well as make cheese, yogurt, and butter. Carter & Stevens Farm plans to install the creamery and necessary improvements in an existing building on the farm. This project will create family-supporting quality jobs and increase the viability of the women-owned dairy farm.
Franklin County Community Development Corporation – Greenfield, MA
- $212,813.25
Franklin County Community Development Corporation’s (FCCDC) Western Massachusetts Food Processing Center (WMFPC) will provide scale-appropriate frozen processing services alongside industry-standard food safety compliance to increase marketability of local value-added food products. By installing modern and scale-appropriate freezing equipment, it will align with realistic harvest volumes and value-add demand from local farms to make frozen processing accessible to more producers. It will also make necessary facility improvements and strengthen its food safety program as it seeks a third-party audit that will support its producers in accessing new and larger markets. This includes purchasing and installing a blast freezer, upgrading its facility flooring, dish room, installing an energy efficient HVAC and hot water system to ensure food safety compliance, and engaging a food safety consultant to ensure its preparedness for a rigorous third-party audit. This project will allow the FCCDC and WMFPC to respond to producer needs, better align with market requirements, and build long-term sustainability and resilience both for its own operation as well as the many farm and food businesses it serves.
Growing Places Garden Project, Inc. – Leominster, MA
- $264,121.80
Growing Places is requesting funding to position the region’s new Local Food Processing Center for scalability and sustainability as part of Local Food Works in North Central MA (NCMA). Key tasks that will support 180+ local farms include 1) renovating unused space abutting the new commercial kitchen with separated zones for packing/prepping and storing; 2) operationalizing a customized mid-tier software management system with comprehensive training for end-users; and 3) installing specialized equipment to package high quality leafy greens and other items accustomed to browning. As a result of these improvements, the NCMA Processing Center will meet requirements for wholesale purchasing with large institutions, have the capacity to accommodate more crops and more small and historically underserved local farmers, increase operational efficiencies, improve its capability/capacity to serve wholesale and retail markets, reduce waste, and increase the ability of the Processing Center to achieve its revenue targets for sustainability as the hub of the North Central MA Regional Food Center.
Island Creek Oyster – Duxbury, MA
- $339,537.00
Island Creek Oysters (ICO) has operated the Commonwealth’s only cannery (and one of only three on the East Coast) since 2022. Equipment acquired, installed, and trained on with grant funds will automate current processes and expand formatting options that will enable the facility to diversify and expand the mix of local and regional agricultural products it can work with. One example is that they have a partnership with Row 7 Seeds to can vegetables grown exclusively in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts that don't conform to aesthetic standards for fresh produce in retail grocers. Being the only cannery in the state, the equipment from this grant will allow us to can vegetables and seafood, thereby opening a critical market for a significant volume of branded Northeast produce that otherwise would be discarded.
World Farmers, Inc. – Lancaster, MA
- $451,050.60
World Farmers advocates for and supports small-scale immigrant, refugee, and historically underserved farmers from farm-to-market, providing access to the land, farming infrastructure, and the technical assistance in agricultural production and marketing necessary for small-scale diversified farmers to grow and market their produce. This project will include infrastructure improvements to support World Farmers’ aggregation and distribution program, particularly our growing wholesale markets for cultural crops. Included in this project are renovations to our aggregation space for increased root crop storage and food safety improvements, key equipment to make our aggregation efforts more efficient.
Big River Chestnuts – Sunderland, MA
- $74,542.00
Big River Chestnuts (BRC) of Sunderland, MA will partner with eight farms and multiple processing and marketing partners to purchase middle-of-the-supply-chain processing equipment for a chestnut processing hub in Massachusetts. This equipment, housed in a processing facility at BRC, will process raw chestnuts to marketable products, including fresh, roasted, dehydrated shelled kernels, and chestnut flour. The equipment will be made accessible to other farmers in Massachusetts who are growing chestnuts and need a facility to process them. Expected outcomes include: chestnut farmers are able to process their crop efficiently with mid-scale equipment in a food safe facility; more farmers have incentive to plant chestnuts knowing they have access to processing equipment; increased resilience in the Massachusetts farming community in a time of climate change; increased and more affordable local, nutrient dense food available for the local market.
Bombeta Farms – Leominster, MA
- $100,000.00
Bombeta Farms will acquire a specialized refrigerated vehicle to enhance the transportation and distribution of culturally significant crops across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and New Jersey. By establishing partnerships with local communities and markets, Bombeta Farms aims to expand its reach, delivering fresh produce efficiently to diverse populations. This project entails procuring a refrigerated vehicle, establishing agreements with distribution partners, and implementing value-added product offerings to meet the demands of new markets, ensuring a sustainable and diverse supply of crops to buyers and communities in Massachusetts and the region. Through this initiative, Bombeta Farms aims to increase access to culturally relevant produce while fostering economic opportunities for local farmers and communities.
Bree-Z-Knoll Farm, LLC – Leyden, MA
- $98,787.40
Bree-Z-Knoll Farm (BZK) is a 120-cow dairy farm in Leyden, MA. BZK built an on-farm creamery in 2023 and bottles milk exclusively for the Our Family Farms Cooperative, of which BZK are 50% owners. Through this project BZK will expand product lines to be able to sell to schools, colleges and institutions. BZK will also improve the efficiency and accuracy of the production process to ensure the best possible products are distributed. Lastly, BZK will deliver product to distributors to increase efficiencies on both sides and ensure product is handled properly throughout the supply chain. In order to work with distributors, most require the product delivered to their warehouse - through the equipment purchased for this project, BZK will be able to move the large amounts of milk that each distributor needs multiple times per week.
Clodhopper Farm – Millis, MA
- $78,564.85
The RFSI Equipment Only Grant Project developed by Clodhopper Farm, LLC will increase storage/aggregation capacity, extend produce shelf-life, maximize the capture of human consumption value and create new, value-added produce options. These project goals are possible through the addition of strategically selected equipment including: walk-in cooler (increased storage capacity & temp/humidity options); wash & pack structure (year round washing, improved efficiency, improved food safety practices); barrel washer (labor reduction/redirection, increase storage viability, decrease water consumption); tote washer (labor reduction/redirection); and salad dryer (labor reduction/redirection & new value-added products). The immediate result of this investment is Clodhopper Farm, LLC putting locally grown produce in the hands of an estimated 200% more Massachusetts residents, with a focus on under-served individuals and communities, than currently served. The longer-term impact of this effort is increased resiliency to the “middle-of-the-supply-chain”, increased consumer reliance on local producers, increased food justice and overall expansion/strengthening of Massachusetts’ food system.
Coastal Foodshed – New Bedford, MA
- $100,000.00
Coastal Foodshed, a local food hub operating in the Southcoast of Massachusetts, will enter into a contract with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to purchase a refrigerated vehicle to meet the increased demand for local food in the region. Through this project, we will transport an increased volume of local foods from farms to customers, with a focus on food insecure households. The refrigerated vehicle will support our ability to expand our middle-of-the-supply-chain services to reach more farmers and to increase the volume of product we can transport, while also allowing us to continue reaching more SNAP and HIP customers through the ability to increase the number of distribution points we can reach each week. Through this project, we will purchase the vehicle within 60 days of receiving the award and signing a contract, with delivery expected within 90 days.
Full Well Farm – Adams, MA
- $72,578.73
Full Well Farm will use this funding to buy a new, outdoor walk-in cooler to store and distribute more produce to the North Berkshire community. This new cooler will allow the farm to expand its sliding-scale vegetable CSA program and its work with local food access programs. It will also allow Full Well to purchase more refrigerated products from local producers to sell in their farmstand and online store. This new cold storage unit will enable Full Well to expand its CSA program to include downtown Pittsfield and a winter CSA. It will also help Full Well to meet the growing demand for local produce from food access organizations such as Heart and Soil and Berkshire Grown. To fulfill this project, Full Well will order a new, fully assembled 16-foot by 14-foot cold storage unit to be delivered and set up outside the barn onsite. This new cold storage unit will allow Full Well to meet the growing demand for local produce from food access programs and direct customer sales in the North Berkshires in 2025 and beyond.
Juahkumbah Farm – North Brookfield, MA
- $100,000.00
Juahkumbah Farm is embarking on the Driving Diversity: Expanding Market Access for African Produce project to strengthen their agricultural business. At the forefront of this initiative is the acquisition of a refrigerated vehicle, which will facilitate access to new markets in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Jersey, enabling longer-distance deliveries to buyers. This strategic move is expected to significantly expand Juahkumbah Farm's reach and consequently increase its income. To support the expanded market potential that will result from the procurement of the reefer vehicle, Juahkumbah Farm plans to broaden its product offerings by incorporating other non-African crops such as zucchini, celery, carrots, and cilantro, thereby diversifying its crop offering to the wholesale buyers the Farm already holds relationships with, and those yet to come. Moreover, the farm intends to explore value-added products, with a focus on hot peppers, to meet evolving market demands and enhance profitability. Key activities under this initiative include experimentation with hot pepper processing techniques, the establishment of partnerships with wholesalers, the development of marketing strategies, and the implementation of efficient delivery logistics management. Ensuring freshness as the crops are stored in the refrigerated vehicle will be paramount to maintaining quality and meeting customer expectations. The anticipated outcomes encompass increased revenue, expanded market reach, diversification of products, improved transportation efficiency, and the creation of new partnerships, ultimately positioning Juahkumbah Farm for sustained growth and success.
Kielbasa Orchards, LLC – Hadley, MA
- $45,179.75
Kielbasa Orchards, LLC will purchase a 40ft refrigerated container for the storage of apples held for wholesale distribution. With refrigeration, the shelf life of the early-season and mid-season apples would expand by 30 to 60 days, depending on the variety. It would also allow for late-season apples to be placed in long-term storage for potential winter/spring markets. Weeks of extra time to hold fruit while prioritizing the harvest is incredibly valuable to producers. The choice between delivering aging produce or harvesting before a high-wind storm is resolved with cold storage. A longer shelf-life will increase our apple variety selection and add peaches to our wholesale offerings. This container would also be completely sealed from rodents, correcting the most challenging food safety concern. The purchase of the cold storage container would allow Kielbasa Orchards to harvest more fruit for wholesale distribution. This increase in production combined with improved freshness and variety will allow them to expand into new wholesale markets.
Lexavah Farms – Clinton, MA
- $94,499.44
Lexavah Farms aims to expand its market outlets for culturally significant crops, particularly targeting African, Caribbean, and Asian communities. The project seeks to obtain a refrigerated van to ensure the freshness and quality of produce during transportation to new markets. By acquiring a refrigerated van, Lexavah Farms anticipates increased sales and expanded market reach, enabling the farm to explore new market-outlet opportunities such as Tropical Foods in Roxbury, MA, and a market-outlet in New York. This initiative will also enhance the shelf life and quality of perishable crops like chinsaga, a cherished cultural crop among Kisii communities from Kenya. General tasks and activities include coordinating with market outlets and potential new clients, developing value-added products to increase sales of chinsaga, implementing improved transportation and storage methods, and strengthening partnerships with local producers to ensure a consistent supply chain. Through these efforts, Lexavah Farms aims to meet the growing demand for culturally relevant produce, improve market access, and enhance the economic viability of our small-scale farming operation.
Little Bean Farm and Pantry, LLC – Sheffield, MA
- $15,192.97
Little Bean Farm and Pantry, LLC is a worker-owned cooperative located in Sheffield, Massachusetts. Little Bean Farm will purchase a seed-cleaning Clipper Office Tester for the purposes of sorting quality dry heirloom beans from inferior ones will expedite processing times and improve product quality substantially. The purchase of an electric front-loader bicycle built for businesses carrying large volumes of cargo will serve as the farm’s fossil fuel-free means of transport for CSA distribution and participation in farmers markets throughout Berkshire County, accessibly bringing plant protein and other winter pantry items such as grain alternatives to communities for whom these foods are culturally important, nutritionally beneficial, and delicious.
Nantucket Sound Shellfish Company – Teaticket, MA
- $27,150.00
Nantucket Sound Shellfish Company LLC (NSSC) is looking to diversify local markets and revenue streams by increasing processing efficiency of handling market bound oysters as well as small oyster seed. NSSC will accomplish this by incorporating specialized high-quality machinery into farm operations. These machines will address bottlenecks at both the market processing side of the farm as well as the 1st year seed end of the growing process. Through this project, NSSC will be able to sell a larger amount of bagged oysters at a better price to local seafood dealers and sell excess seed production to other local farmers.
Song Sparrow Farm, Inc. – Florence, MA
- $96,568.13
Song Sparrow Farm, a local agricultural enterprise based in Massachusetts, will acquire a Ford E350 with Thermo King V520-20 Max Unit to enhance aggregation, distribution, and transportation of Certified Naturally Grown produce and culturally relevant crops to diverse communities across Massachusetts. The project aims to increase market reach, improve product quality, support local producers, increase access to fresh, locally grown food, and promote more resilient agricultural community connections.
Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts, Inc. (SEACMA) – Worcester, MA
- $58,848.00
The Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts, Inc. (SEACMA) will purchase essential food processing equipment as part of its Urban Agriculture program, which will support the cultivation and sale of mushrooms and, in the future, other produce. The project will expand SEACMA’s current urban farming operations at its Worcester, MA location and aims to address both food insecurity and local employment needs for the immigrant and refugee communities served by the organization. The organization will acquire equipment such as food dehydrators, refrigeration and freezer units, and packaging machinery to ensure the safe storage, drying, and packaging of the mushrooms. By creating a local supply chain for urban-grown mushrooms, SEACMA is enhancing food security and contributing to the economic sustainability of its community. Additionally, the project aims to improve food access for low-income, English Language Learner (ELL) populations in a distressed Worcester neighborhood. This initiative supports the broader goal of building a resilient local food system by repurposing urban spaces and reducing food waste, while fostering sustainable urban agriculture practices that benefit both producers and consumers.
Tangerini’s Spring Street Farm – Millis, MA
- $99,979.80
Tangerini’s Spring Street Farm, Inc. proposes the purchase of a refrigerated box truck to aid in the delivery and availability of farm produce and produce from surrounding local farms. This purchase will exponentially increase Tangerini Farm’s ability to transport produce throughout Massachusetts. Tangerini’s Farm will be able to reliably expand our wholesale reach as well as be able to access a wider market area. Produce shelf life will be greatly extended through the use of refrigeration during transport and expanding the current distribution reach. The addition of a refrigerated box truck will directly impact the longevity of the life of the produce, it will improve the safe handling of produce by keeping the temperature regulated, and allow us to distribute our produce to a much larger market. The refrigerated box truck will allow the farm to reach new wholesale customers through a newly established route. The impacts that this will have will not only support Tangerini’s Spring Street Farm but also the communities in Massachusetts and New England, especially those facing food insecurity.
Wellspring Cooperative Corporation – Springfield, MA
- $78,779.00
Wellspring Cooperative's Farm to Kitchen project will aggregate fresh produce from regional farms for use by new food entrepreneurs in our Gran Cocina/Great Kitchen incubator in Holyoke and support the Wellspring Harvest greenhouse to develop value-added products for sale. Emerging food businesses will test their creations at the adjacent “tasting café” that will enable the community to find out what new chefs are cooking up at the kitchen. The Gran Concina will also develop its own value-added soups to provide a revenue stream to sustain the kitchen. Resilient food system grant funds will be used to purchase refrigeration to store fresh produce, a cargo van to source fresh produce from area farms, and a large soup kettle. These improvements will enable the kitchen and the Wellspring Harvest greenhouse to become financially self-sufficient and to support the creation and establishment of ten new and emerging food businesses over a year.
Whistling Meadow Farm LLC – South Deerfield, MA
- $47,925.00
Whistling Meadow Farm LLC will invest in washing and grading equipment that improve efficiency and food safety that will in turn allow for increased opportunities for middle-of-the-supply chain produce buyers and distributors. The purchase and installation of two washing and grading lines - one for tomatoes and another for vegetables - will ensure availability of large volumes of locally grown produce for distribution across the state, especially to supermarkets, grocery stores, and food banks, reaching low-income and low-access communities.
Worcester Regional Strategic Opportunities Foundation, Inc. – Worcester, MA
- $83,520.74
The Worcester Regional Food Hub (DBA Worcester Regional Strategic Operations Fund) will expand the Food Hub’s wholesale operations in Central Massachusetts, to exponentially increase the number of farms, producers, and institutional buyers that they interact with. The Simplified Equipment that will be requested in this grant will be directly used for the wholesale operations at the new headquarters. This equipment will optimize the Food Hub’s operation and allow it to enhance its services to meet the specific needs of the community.
Wren's Acres LLC DBA Berry Hill Farm – Westport, MA
- $51,648.54
Berry Hill Farm will utilize funding to establish a berry and herb processing hub that will allow them to process, preserve, and distribute their harvest, increasing value-added farm products and market opportunities. This equipment will also benefit the local farming community with expressed need for access to processing equipment to support their middle-of-the-supply-chain activities, namely crop expansion and value-added offerings.