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Date: 5/9/2023
CHICOPEE — The Food Bank Coalition of Massachusetts, consisting of Merrimack Valley Food Bank, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and the Greater Boston Food Bank, is hitting the streets with its first Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program road show.
This tour is for legislators and those involved in the food system to learn about the value of MEFAP for local farms, food production companies and emergency food distribution partners. They’ll also learn how MEFAP food is being distributed through these food banks and how that’s benefiting the people who are receiving it. The coalition’s first stop was McKinstry Farms in Chicopee on May 1. State Sen. Adam Gomez (D-Springfield) had the opportunity to visit McKinstry Farms along with his fellow colleagues in the local delegation.
“I cannot stress enough the importance of our hardworking farmers,” Gomez said. “The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and the Greater Boston Food Bank in conjunction with the Food System Caucus in the legislature brought on this roadshow as a means to offer some education on the benefits of MEFAP for local farmers/producers as well as for recipients of MEFAP food, in addition to bringing awareness to the food banks’ partnerships with local vendors.”
He continued, “It’s crucial that people know where their food comes from. Unfortunately, too few individuals have access to such information. Further, I believe that every person and family should have access to quality food. That being said, I can’t wait for McKinstry Farm’s first sweet corn of the season.”
State Rep. Shirley Arriaga, who also visited McKinstry Farms, said, “I’m glad to represent a district where we have so many partners and stakeholders, who are working together to address food insecurities across our commonwealth.”
She went on to say, “Food insecurity has risen by 70%, and it is of utmost importance to educate our constituents and support our local farmers who work with MEFAP to end food security and waste.”
The Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program was established in 1995 to ensure that residents in need have access to a supply of quality food in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The program is implemented through a unique partnership between the state and a private, non-profit food distribution network made up of four regional food banks: the Greater Boston Food Bank, the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, the Worcester County Food Bank.
Public Policy Manager Laura Sylvester of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts said, “The idea for this road trip came out of discussions we were having about ways that we can engage the legislature and ways that we could bring attention to the ways the MEFAP program benefits the Commonwealth.”
The Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program ensures a consistent supply of quality nutrient dense foods and locally grown fresh produce to a statewide network of emergency food providers. The program also affords an outlet for local farms and producers to distribute their goods through the Mass Grown program.
“These visits will provide an opportunity for legislators who support the MEFAP budget each year and visitors to see where local MEFAP food originates,” Sylvester said. “We want to increase awareness about the generosity of the Massachusetts state legislature providing money to the food banks so we can serve people who are food insecure.”
She continued, “It would be great every year if we could go to a few different vendors and be able to highlight all the great work that’s being done.”