State should put $10.5M toward Mass. Food Trust
Timothy P. Murray
Steve Fischer
We know the lack of access to healthy, affordable foods in Worcester undermines not only the health of our children and families, it impedes economic growth. Together, we have an opportunity to increase access to healthy foods and spur economic development, which is why we are asking the legislature and the governor to fund the Massachusetts Food Trust program.
Enacted by the legislature in 2014, the program was created to increase access to healthy foods and strengthen economies by providing loans, grants and technical assistance for new and expanded grocery stores, food-based enterprises, local processing facilities and food distribution centers in low- and moderate-income communities. While elected officials, entrepreneurs and advocates agree on the benefits, the program needs funds.
Our collaborative project, the Worcester Regional Food Hub, supports a request for $10 million over five years in the Economic Development Bill to cover capital expenses and $500,000 in the fiscal 2017 budget for operating expenses.
The Massachusetts Food Trust Program is built on a proven national strategy and can accomplish two key goals. First, it will create new jobs – as many as 5,000 jobs were generated in Pennsylvania via a similar initiative; this can be replicated in Worcester and throughout the state. Second, it will help reduce soaring rates of diet-related diseases.
Similar public investments made in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have shown a multiplier effect. For example, $11.8 million of funding for the New Jersey Food Access Initiative has resulted in a $170-million return to date. Why not replicate this in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts Food Trust can catalyze projects like our Worcester Regional Food Hub, a collaborative effort of the Regional Environmental Council, the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, Quinsigamond Community College and the Worcester County Food Bank, with generous financial support from the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts. The Food Hub's goals are to build a community where all people have access to affordable, locally sourced and healthier food options, while bolstering our region's economy through improved farmer and consumer networks, targeted workforce development programs and small business incubation.
The Food Hub will provide aggregation, marketing and distribution of local farm products, a food service culinary training program and a commercial kitchen incubator. The Massachusetts Food Trust would provide critical resources to support the development of these kinds of innovative approaches in Worcester and throughout Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts Food Trust Program will strengthening our region's economy, increase access to healthier food options and promote better health outcomes. Now is the time for the legislature to act and make a wise investment in our communities and the commonwealth.
Timothy P. Murray is president/CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce. Steve Fischer is the executive director of the Regional Environmental Council of Central Massachusetts.
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments