Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $24.6 Million in Grants to Improve Food Security and Resiliency Across Massachusetts

Boston — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $24.6 million in grants to 163 Massachusetts food system enterprises today, helping to sustain Massachusetts’ food production and distribution sectors, while at the same time working to ensure that fresh, healthy, local food is available to all residents. This funding is being distributed through the innovative Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) program, a competitive grant program managed by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) and designed to ensure farmers and other local food producers are better connected to a strong and resilient food system.

“The food system represents so much of what makes Massachusetts great,” said Governor Maura Healey. “From our national leadership in cranberries and fisheries, to our dairy and maple producers, to our farm-to-school and urban agriculture efforts, we are committed to building the state’s food security through these grants.”

“Our food system is an integral part of our economy, our landscape, our culture, and public health,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These investments will help ensure that farmers, fishers, schools, distributors, and other stakeholders can continue to produce food and that all Massachusetts residents rely on.”

Launched in 2020 as a recommendation of the Massachusetts Food Security Task Force, the FSIG program provides grants for capital infrastructure investments that increase access to locally produced food for families and individuals throughout the state who may be facing food insecurity, live in gateway cities or food deserts, or otherwise face unequal access to food. The program 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.

“As food producers face growing threats from climate change, the FSIG program helps farmers and fishers build resilience so that they can adapt,” said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “From changing weather patterns to new invasive species to worker health concerns, our food producers must constantly innovate to remain sustainable, and we are proud to help them do so.” 

“From farmers who have been stewarding their land for generations, to new Americans who are bringing their traditions and culture to the Massachusetts soil, these grantees represent a rich cross-section of the agricultural community,” said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. “These awards will help them produce more food and share more of it with their local communities.”

“As we learned from the COVID pandemic, food insecurity is a real problem in the Commonwealth for too many families, said Senator and Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport). “I have made addressing this disparity a priority and have worked closely with the Healey-Driscoll Administration to help grow and sustain food production for our farming communities in the state. I’m thrilled that several farms in my district will receive grant funding to ensure that fresh, healthy, and local food is readily available for all residents. Almeida Farms in Swansea, Westport Sea Farms, The Neighborhood Farm, and Aeonian Farm in Westport were awarded funding under this $24.6 million grant.”

"FSIG is one of the strongest, most in-demand programs in state government,” said Senator and Co-Chair of the Joint Agriculture Committee Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “This latest round of grants will bring approximately $3.4 million to the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district to support farmers and strengthen our food system. The continued funding for FSIG speaks to a shared commitment by the Administration and Legislature to fight food insecurity, tackle diet-related disease, and bolster constituents' ability to access locally-grown food — all at the same time."

“I am proud to represent many of the grant awardees and I congratulate them on the work they are doing fill the need for food security,” said Senator Nick Collins (D-Boston). “These grants will provide our small businesses with the capital infrastructure needed to sustain the native foods the people of the Commonwealth not only depend on but enjoy.”  

The FSIG grants are essential to rebuilding our capacity to grow and catch more of what we eat here in Massachusetts, and that is critical as our climate heats up,” said Representative and Co-Chair of the Joint Agriculture Committee Paul Schmid (D-Westport). “Hats off to Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Secretary Tepper and Commissioner Randle for their support.”

"These investments will support our local food systems and our local producers while addressing food insecurity in our communities by increasing access to fresh, sustainable, local food,” said Representative David Biele (D-Boston).  “I'm grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their partnership in this crucial program."

The awardees for this round of grants include:

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