BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $24.6 million in grants to 163 Massachusetts food system enterprises, helping to sustain Massachusetts' food production and distribution sectors, while at the same time working to ensure that fresh, healthy, local food is available to all residents.

 

In Berkshire County:

 

"The food system represents so much of what makes Massachusetts great," said Governor Maura Healey. "From our national leadership in cranberries and fisheries, to our dairy and maple producers, to our farm-to-school and urban agriculture efforts, we are committed to building the state's food security through these grants."

 

Launched in 2020 as a recommendation of the Massachusetts Food Security Task Force, the FSIG program provides grants for capital infrastructure investments that increase access to locally produced food for families and individuals throughout the state who may be facing food insecurity, live in gateway cities or food deserts, or otherwise face unequal access to food. The program seeks to ensure that farmers, fishers, and other local food producers are better connected to a strong, resilient food system to help mitigate future supply chain issues.