The Baker-Polito administration announced on Dec. 5 that $95,000 in equipment grants had been given to 65 farmers and farmers’ markets to help increase local food access points for low-income residents throughout the Commonwealth.
According to 22News’ report, this third round of awards gives free equipment to direct-marketing farms and farmers’ markets to aid in accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits at mobile markets.
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) and the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) collaborated on the grant program, which was funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Through this funding, 110 farms and farmers’ markets received goods and services worth over $160,000 for SNAP processing. Locals might apply from Apr. 20 to Sept. 30, as per Smart News.
With the support of this funding, farms and farmers’ markets were able to get free new or updated SNAP processing equipment from Novo Dia Group, facilitating SNAP acceptance at mobile locations across 57 areas.
600K Beneficiaries
According to Marylou Sudders, secretary of health and human services, this grant program demonstrates the Baker-Polito Administration’s dedication to providing Massachusetts households with wholesome, culturally relevant food in support of a robust local food system.
Acting Commissioner Mary Sheehan of the Department of Transitional Assistance says that DTA is continuing to work with its agricultural partners to increase equitable SNAP access points so that the more than 600,000 households that receive SNAP benefits can purchase local food in their neighborhoods.
She continued by saying that this award program also provides crucial financial assistance to our state’s food system, helping Massachusetts farmers and their staff.
