Southcoast Food Policy Council News

S.311/H.565 An Act Establishing Farm to School Program

February 19, 2025

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.

H.735/S.392 An Act to Promote Food Literacy

February 14, 2025

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.

H.3154/S.1043 An Act Encouraging the Donation of Food to Persons in Need

February 14, 2025

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.

H.222/S.104 An Act Relative to an Agricultural Healthy Incentives Program (HIP)

February 14, 2025

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).

H.140/S.69 An Act to Promote Economic Opportunities for Cottage Food Entrepreneurs

February 11, 2025

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.