By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(Boston, MA) Several area businesses are among the 26 selected as part of the first round of grants from the Food Security Infrastructure Program. Adam’s Slaughter House in Athol, Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, Pioneer Valley Growers Association in South Deerfield, and Clarkdale Fruit Farm in Deerfield all received part of the first $3 million distributed from the grant program. The grant program was created to help fund investments in technology, equipment, increased capacity, and food distribution in food insecure communities. Equity, economic impact and need, sustainability efforts, and ability to support producer readiness to accept SNAP and HIP benefits were considerations in the determination of which businesses would receive the funding.
“These Food Security Infrastructure Grants will help to strengthen the resiliency of Massachusetts’ farmers and fishers, and better connect locally grown and produced food products with the Commonwealth residents most underserved by healthy, fresh food options,” said Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux.
Great Falls Farmers Market in Turners Falls, Growing Places Garden Project in Athol, Orange Farmers Market, and Sunderland Farm Collaborative were among 39 new vendors selected for the Healthy Incentives Program or HIP. The 39 new businesses chosen for the HIP program will be funded through an additional $5 million recommended by the Food Security Task Force. The vendors were selected based on ability to respond to the needs of populations and communities most significantly impacted by the pandemic.