(Worcester, MA) Senator Jo Comerford and Representative Natalie Blais were celebrated at the 2023 MA Food System Forum in Worcester for their work in securing $20 million for farm disaster relief. Western MA farmers recently received a second round of grants from the Community Fund of Western Massachusetts to help after the extreme weather this past growing season in addition to the state’s $20 million award which will benefit dozens of farms in Franklin County.

From the Massachusetts State House:

(Boston, MA) – The Massachusetts Food System Collaborative held its 2023 MA Food System Forum on December 8, 2023, at Holy Cross College in Worcester. State Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton) and State Representative Natalie Blais (D-Deerfield) were honored during the event as 2023 Legislators of the Year, along with Representative Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury).

“Our Commonwealth must invest in a resilient and sustainable local food system that serves all communities across Massachusetts equitably,” said Senator Comerford. “I am honored to be recognized by the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative, along with fierce colleagues — especially this week as farmers in our districts are receiving grants I fought for in partnership with Representative Natalie Blais, to help them repair and rebuild from this year’s frost, freeze, and floods.”

“As a result of organizations like the MA Food System Collaborative, there is a growing awareness of and support for an equitable, sustainable, resilient, and connected local food system in Massachusetts,” said Representative Blais. “I am grateful for the partnership of Senator Comerford in pushing for funding and legislation that supports the mission of this effective and expanding collaborative.”

The Massachusetts Food System Collaborative promotes, monitors, and facilitates the implementation of the Massachusetts Local Food Action Plan, released in December 2015. The mission of the Collaborative is to support collective action toward an equitable, sustainable, resilient, and connected local food system in Massachusetts. To learn more about the Collaborative, click here.

The 2023 MA Food System Forum focused on strengthening the statewide food community, discussing important food topics, and developing skills for powerful advocacy on behalf of a stronger food system. To see the agenda for the Forum, click here.