Issue #48 | November 2023







Supporting collective action
toward an equitable, sustainable, resilient, and connected local
food system in Massachusetts.
Advocate
Things you can do right now to
support systemic policy change.
Send in testimony on bills by November 15!

The legislature will be taking a break for the holidays after November 15th. If you have not done so yet, please email your testimony in to the legislature on important food system bills. Here are our priority bills and all the testimony the Collaborative has submitted thus far this session. 
Collaborate
Highlights of the
Collaborative's work.
Register for the 2023 MA Food System Forum!

The 2023 MA Food System Forum will be on Friday, December 8th from 8:00am - 4pm at the Hogan Center of the College of the Holy Cross, located at 1 College St in Worcester, MA.

We look forward to strengthening the statewide food system community, discussing important topics including next steps for the food literacy campaign, food waste, seafood, deep community engagement, the Farm Bill, and more. Tickets available here.

This year the Forum will feature a plenary session on the natural disasters of the 2023 growing season, its effects, and where we go from here for a resilient, sustainable, equitable local food system. MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle, Ben Clark from Clarkdale Farms, Jessy Gill from World Farmers, a Flats Mentor Farmer, and David Fischer from Natural Roots will make up the panel.

Workshops and discussions will include the following:

  • What's next for food waste reduction?
  • Engaging the MA federal delegation on the Farm Bill
  • The New England Feeding New England report and next steps 
  • Community engagement for policy and systems change
  • What's next for local food policy councils?
  • Seafood 101
  • Affordable housing and food access programs; mutually beneficial partnerships
  • Youth and the food system: how are we creating the next generation of food system leaders?
  • Food literacy catch up and next steps

More information can be found here.

Registration is $50 and includes a locally sourced breakfast and lunch.
Agricultural Equity CAFEs restarting!

In addition to successfully advocating for the inclusion of equity in MDAR’s mission statement (as well as new opportunities to collaborate with the Department), the agricultural equity bill is moving through the state’s legislature, and new allies are joining the network. The coalition will restart its CAFE chats, starting on November 16th at 4:30pm. Please reach out to Norris, Agricultural Equity Network Manager, for the zoom information.  
New England Feeding New England project releases MA state brief

In 2019, the Collaborative joined with partners from across the region to launch New England Feeding New England, a 10-year initiative to prepare the region for system shocks such as climate-related weather events and public health emergencies. Our aim is to increase regional food production for regional consumption with the goal of 30% of the food consumed in New England produced, caught or harvested within New England by 2030.  After years of planning and research, NEFNE has released the regional report, and a State brief for Massachusetts, outlining the challenges and opportunities the Commonwealth faces in creating a resilient regional food system.
Commission on Agriculture in the 21st Century hosts hearings

The Commission, established in 2020 to investigate agriculture in the Commonwealth and to make recommendations around technical assistance and climate change needs, is continuing its schedule of hearings. The Novemeber 16th hearing will start at 9:30am and will be on connections between food security and agriculture. The Collaborative will be presenting about the NEFNE project. The Commission is accepting thoughts from stakeholders, please write in with your thoughts about the importance of HIP, FSIG, senior and WIC farmers market coupons to local agriculture. More information can be found here.
Celebrate
Inspiring work being done by some
of our friends in Massachusetts.
Mashpee Wampanoag fishermen honor their heritage

GBH produced a recent feature on three generations of Wampanoag shellfishermen; Corey, Paul Jr. and Paul Hendricks Sr. Corey credits his grandfather for his fishing techniques, who passed it down to his father and then him. The warming waters around Cape Cod worries Corey, as they cause large die-offs of wild clams. He sees one benefit of aquaculture is that it helps to clean the water and build up the environment. Corey takes a lot of pride in ensuring his grandfather enjoys being on the water and has lighter tasks, and connecting with the land and his ancestors through this work.

Discover
Thoughtful insights about
food system issues.
MAPC Rooted in Nature Series features session on Indigenous foodways

The Metropolitan area Planning Council held a series of online discussions this fall called Rooted in Nature: Indigenous Knowledge and Climate Resiliency. Session Four focused on restoring Indigenous foodways for climate resilience, and features Kristen Wyman, member of Nipmuc Nation, co-founder of Eastern Woodlands Rematriation, and Co-Director of Global Movement Program with WhyHunger. This session explores the historical characteristics of local indigenous foodways and considers how a transition to a food system grounded in indigenous knowledge and leadership can support a more robust and resilient ecosystem in the context of our rapidly changing climate.

Participate

The Massachusetts Food System Collaborative envisions a local food system where everyone has access to healthy food, to land to grow food, to good jobs, and to the systems where policy decisions are made. Read more about our vision and our work.