We Have Lift Off: MA Food Trust Is Launched!

Governor Baker was first exposed to the MA Food Trust program at a briefing with the MACDC Board, May 2016.

After more than 6 years of advocacy to establish, fund and launch this program, the Baker-Polito Administration has fulfilled its quest by providing over $1 Million in funding to increase access to healthy, local food options and by selecting co-administrators for the Massachusetts Food Trust Program.  The MA Food Trust Program, a recommendation from a study by the Massachusetts Grocery Access Task Force, was established in law in 2014.  Since then, the Massachusetts Public Health Association (MPHA) has led a statewide coalition of nearly 100 organizations to build legislative and administration support to develop, fund and implement a program, which fulfills our shared values:  good for jobs, good for communities and good for health.  MACDC has been proud to partner with MPHA and the Healthy Food Financing Working Group in pursuit of this vision.  Congratulations to MPHA, and the organizations that have been selected to administer this statewide program, the Local Enterprise Assistance Fund (LEAF) and Franklin County CDC.

For more information on the award announcement, read the Baker Administration’s press release here:  https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-awards-over-1-million-in-funding-to-increase-access-to-healthy