A legislative hearing will take place on November 13th for a bill to establish a local food incentive program for Massachusetts K-12 schools and early education programs. The bill, H.3993, “An Act supporting farm and school partnerships in school meals,” has been introduced by Representatives Domb and Vargas. If passed, the bill would establish a 3-year pilot program within the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to provide eligible schools and early education programs additional funds for meals featuring locally grown and caught foods.
The program would build on the success of a current federally funded incentive, Northeast Food for Schools, which is set to expire at the end of this school year. We’ve already seen how successful a local food incentive can be at driving investments in local farms and food businesses and expanding access to these healthy foods for all students. Let’s not let the program end when the federal funds run out! A state incentive will enable the incredible local purchasing gains to continue. Read more about the bill here.
Legislators need to hear from school nutrition staff, farmers and food businesses, students, families and other farm to school advocates about how impactful a local food incentive program can be on both the health of our students and our local food system.
YOU can help make this legislative hearing a success by sharing your story of local foods in schools through written testimony! We have provided sample testimony to help you write your comments, but be sure to include your own story. Written testimony makes a BIG difference. Your story will help to move the Local Food Incentives bill (An Act supporting farm and school partnerships in school meals) forward in the legislative process. Download sample testimony.
You can also provide oral testimony during the hearing either in person or virtually. See more info about the hearing location and schedule here. To testify virtually, you must sign up by this Thursday at 3pm. Complete this form to register for virtual testimony.
1) Email your testimony to everyone listed below:
Education Committee Staff
Chairs
**Please “cc” info@massfarmtoschool.org to let us know you’ve sent in your testimony!**
2) Use the subject heading: “Education Committee Testimony in Support of H.3993, An Act Supporting Farm and School Partnerships in School Meals”
3) Include in email: Your name, organization (if applicable), and phone number in your email.
Thank you for your help growing farm to school programs across the Commonwealth. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Phone: (413) 253-3844
Email: info@massfarmtoschool.org
