Marion Institute's January 2025 Newsletter featuring upcoming events, happenings, and program announcements.

Join us on Wednesday, May 21st at 5:30 p.m., for a thought-provoking event with acclaimed attorney and author, J. Walter Freiberg, on the evolution of loneliness and its impact on modern society. Called “the Oliver Sacks of law,” Mr. Freiberg is the author of three books on the topic of loneliness in the modern era—dubbed The Loneliness Trilogy—and is a frequent speaker on the subject of human biology and the evolution of loneliness.

SD.1813 An Act establishing basic needs assistance for Massachusetts immigrant residents will restore essential food assistance using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to lawfully present immigrants. This bill will provide families with minor children, older people, and immigrants with disabilities access to essential nutrition.

HD.2703 / SD.1015 An Act promoting equity in agriculture will establish a commission to research barriers to agriculture and make recommendations to the MA Department of Agricultural Resources to better support farmers from socially disadvantaged groups entering into agriculture as a profession.

SD.841 / HD.1043 An Act Establishing Farm to School Program will ensure schools have the infrastructure and funding to provide fresh, local food is essential for student health and education. The Farm-to-School FRESH grant in Massachusetts helps schools purchase local food, build commercial kitchens, and create garden spaces for hands-on learning.

HD.2100 / SD.1235 An Act to promote food literacy will support the Department of Secondary and Elementary (DESE) schools to create food literacy standards for students to learn about topics such as nutrition, food production, the connection between the environment and the food system, develop culinary skills, and learn about careers in the food system.

HD.403 / SD.834 An Act encouraging the donation of food to persons in need will provide a $25,000 tax credit to Massachusetts farmers and food businesses that donate food to food pantries. This would reduce food waste, mitigate climate impacts, and provide much-needed nutrient-dense food to individuals and families in the Commonwealth struggling with food insecurity.

The Healthy Incentives Program, or HIP, provides a SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipient $40, $60, or $80 additional dollars (depending on household size) to buy vegetables and fruit ONLY from local MA farmers, farm stands, Farmer’s Market, or CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture).

Valentine's Day is often seen as a celebration of romantic love, but it can also be a reminder of the importance of self-love and compassion. This year, let’s take a moment to practice mindfulness and self-compassion—two essential practices that help us foster deeper connection, not just with others, but with ourselves.

Some municipal Departments of Health require permits, including a fee, and inspections of the kitchens, while others do not. There is no consistency from town to town and, therefore, no equity in the current system. This bill would allow all farmers and home cooks throughout Massachusetts to sell low-risk, non-temperature foods without requiring a health department permit.