BOSTON, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — Food system enterprises in Franklin County have been awarded $1.6 million in grants to improve food security and resiliency as part of the Food Security Infrastructure Grant, FSIG, program that works to ensure farmers, schools, distributors, and other local food producers are connected to a strong, resilient local food system.
From the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources:
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.
“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.”