In addition to the state grants to the Town of Acton, three non-profits in town received grants to help alleviate food insecurity.
Boston Area Gleaners receives grant for food security infrastructure
State Senator Jamie Eldridge, State Representative Danillo Sena, and State Representative Simon Cataldo announced that the Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded a $943,255 Food Security Infrastructure Grant to Boston Area Gleaners in Acton to Increase access to healthy, affordable, food in Acton and surrounding towns.
The Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) will support the Gleaners’ food storage and distribution systems, including their Stonefield Farm property in Acton. Stonefield Farm is a 300-year-old continuously operating food production site sold to the Boston Area Gleaners in 2021. As the operating base for the Gleaners’ work storing and packing crops, its efforts support emerging farmers.
“As federal funding cuts threaten the physical well-being of over one million Massachusetts residents, it is of vital importance that our state and local governments continue to support food access initiatives like the Boston Area Gleaners,” said State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough). “I would like to thank Governor Maura Healey, Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper, and Boston Area Gleaners Executive Director Usha Thakrar for their critical investment in food access infrastructure. This program will bolster the organizations and farmers that provide healthy, affordable food for our residents during these challenging times.”
“Funding for food security programs is particularly important now in the face of cuts from the federal government. These programs are essential,” said Rep Sena. “I’m happy to see this grant go to the Boston Area Gleaners, who do such important work to ensure that all can access affordable, healthy food. I’m thankful for the Healey-Driscoll administration’s investment in our community.”
“With food insecurity levels expected to reach all time highs in the coming weeks and months, Boston Area Gleaners is preparing to meet increased demand. Our ability to source and distribute fresh, healthy food to our communities is only limited by our operational capacity,” said Usha Thakrar of Boston Area Gleaners. “We are deeply grateful to the Healey-Driscoll administration for investing in this critically important infrastructure which will allow us to more than triple our food distribution by 2028.”
The Sudbury Foundation provides grants to help alleviate food insecurity
In response to SNAP funding cuts brought on by the federal government shutdown, The Sudbury Foundation announced an emergency funding initiative to support hunger relief organizations across their catchment area. Grants for Acton-based non-profits include $10,000 for the Acton Food Pantry and $5,000 for Mt. Calvary Community supper, which provides dinner for over 100 people every Wednesday night.
While the Acton Food Pantry is in the process of building a new location (see this Acton Exchange article), they are still operating out of their current location at 235 Summer Road Building #1 in Boxborough. For more information about the Acton Food Pantry, see https://www.actonfoodpantry.org/.
For more information about Mt. Calvary Community Supper, see https://www.mtcalvaryacton.org/community-supper.
