According to the most recent food access report by the Greater Boston Food Bank, 1 in 3 residents faced food insecurity in 2024.
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The Healey-Driscoll Administration, the executive team of the state of Massachusetts, has announced the awarding of over $22 million in grants to support 113 local aquaculture and agricultural producers, as well as food system organizations across the state.
These grants will be awarded through the Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) program, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), which aims to improve access to locally grown, raised, harvested, or caught food.
"Thanks to this transformative program, we're continuing our work to ensure that food producers and distributors in Massachusetts are equipped to feed our residents with fresh local products," said Governor Maura Healey.
The FSIG program has been operating since 2010, supporting capital infrastructure projects that aim to provide local products to families and individuals who face food insecurity, live in underserved communities, or have unequal access to food.
Additionally, the program encourages collaboration among farmers, fishers, and other local food producers to strengthen the food system against potential future disruptions in the supply chain.
"As growers continue to face challenges like unpredictable and extreme weather, unsettled labor issues, and rising costs of production, the FSIG program has helped farmers and fishers build resilience for the future while helping to feed more people in Massachusetts," noted EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper.
In January, the scientific journal Nature published a new study that highlights the often-overlooked yet essential role of small-scale fisheries in global food security, nutrition, and livelihoods. The study also reveals the significant economic impact of small-scale fisheries, which contribute 44% of the global landed economic value from fisheries.