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After a challenging budget season, Governor Healey recently signed the FY25 MA State Budget into law. For those of us who have been working to build a stronger and more equitable food system, the results were mixed. Now that we’ve had some time to reflect on the advocacy efforts of the coalitions we are part of and the final outcomes - both the good and the disappointing - we are ready to share some of our key takeaways.


First, here’s a look at where our final priorities landed:

Item

FY25 Coalition Ask

Final Budget

Healthy Incentives Program

$25 million

$15 million

Universal School Meals

$200 million

$170 million

State-Funded SNAP

$18 million

$0

Regional Transit Authority Operations

$150 million

$160.5 million

MDAR Food Policy Council Grants

$250,000

$0

Food Literacy in Schools

$1 million

$1 million

Below, we share some reflections on what these wins and losses mean, and what comes next.


1. We are clear that our advocacy efforts are making a difference. It is easy to focus on the places where we fell short of our budget priorities, but first it’s important to recognize that in a difficult budget year, food policy advocates still protected and advanced funding for critical programs including:

  • Securing a $50,000 earmark for the MetroWest Food Collaborative, to continue strengthening our work, thanks to the efforts of Speaker Pro Tempore Kate Hogan. 

  • Maintaining Universal School Meals funding levels at $170 million. Although this final amount was lower than the FY25 budget ask, the Feed Kids Coalition successfully prevented any cuts to funding levels relative to the prior two years

  • Winning nearly $15 million for the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), to continue supporting healthy families and sustainable farms. However, we know that this will not be enough to last the full fiscal year and does not include the language the line item has had in recent years that states the program should operate year-round.

  • Significant investment in Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) to support transportation equity. This funding is divided between operating, funding for free fare statewide, and grant programs. The RTAs will receive:

    • $160.5 million in funding for operations;

    • $30 million for statewide fare free grants for the entire year;

    • $10 million for grants for the creation or altering of routes that advance connectivity between existing public transportation routes;

    • $4 million for grants to transit providers to support expanded mobility options for older adults, people with disabilities and low income individuals through the Community Transit Grant Program.

  • Continuing to fund Food Literacy at $1 million. This is broken out into $750,000 for the FRESH grant program and $250,000 to support local district-level wellness policymaking.


2. We are learning valuable lessons to strengthen our future efforts. One of the most disheartening food policy outcomes of this budget session was the MA Legislature’s decision to not include state-funded SNAP in the FY25 State Budget. This means that legally-present Massachusetts immigrants barred from federal SNAP, who were able to access these benefits thanks to funding included in the FY24 supplemental budget, have lost their access to SNAP. 


To give a couple of examples of the impact this supplemental budget funding had in MetroWest, between 101-250 households benefited in Framingham and between 51-100 households benefited in Milford and Marlborough. 


The Feeding Our Neighbors Coalition that worked hard to secure this funding is continuing the fight. The coalition recently re-grouped to discuss the strengths of this campaign and how to move forward, including broadening the coalition. Please consider getting your organization involved in the coalition or sharing stories of impact. We’re continuing to urge legislators to reinstate funding for this program, most recently by submitting a letter to the Special Commission on Poverty asking them to include this priority in their next report.


3. We are reminded that the struggle for food justice is intertwined with the struggle for all other basic human rights. If you were following the end of the budget session, you may have heard about - or even have been part of speaking out about - changes to the MA emergency shelter system, which will leave hundreds of children and families, and particularly migrants, with nowhere to go. These same families will struggle with food access, too. Food and housing are two of the most basic necessities for our communities, and those of us advocating for food equity must stand shoulder to shoulder with those advocating for housing equity.


4. We need to put energy into making food equity a priority at the local, state and federal levels. Many of the programs and policies that impact us locally, and that receive state funding, rely on federal infrastructure. SNAP is one major example. With presidential and congressional elections coming up in November, what comes next will matter for the work we are doing locally to strengthen our food system. It’s important to take time to learn candidates’ positions on food policy, and to get out and vote! Click here to register to vote or make sure your registration is active.


***


As we prepare for supplemental budget efforts to come, and continue to reorient for the next session, thank you to all who have been part of advocating with us. We will be in touch soon with new action steps! 


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Summer is sunshine, swimming, hikes, bike rides, and fresh fruit. And for far too many Massachusetts families, summer is also a struggle to put enough food on the table. 


Nearly 23% of households with children face food insecurity in Massachusetts. For Black and Latino/a households with children, this percentage is significantly higher, according to the latest data from the US Census Household Pulse Survey. With schools out and kids back at home, lower-income families across MetroWest may have an extra hard time making ends meet. 


That’s where summer meals and Summer EBT can help. Read on to learn more about this programming and what’s available in your area.


1. SUMMER EATS


Summer Eats is a federal nutrition program that provides free meals to kids and teens (under 18) across Massachusetts during the summer months. It is implemented by Project Bread in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Education and local school and community providers. 


Many of the Summer Eats sites in MetroWest are hosted by the YMCA. The current list is below, and you can also check the YMCA website for updates

Site

Schedule

Amazing Things Art Center, Framingham

Monday-Friday, 1pm - 2pm

Butterworth Park, Framingham

Monday-Friday, 11:30am - 12:30pm

Clearbrook Swim Club, Framingham

Every day, 12pm - 2pm

Farm Pond Skatepark, Framingham

Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays, 11:30am - 12:30pm

Framingham Main Library

Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays, 12pm - 1pm

McAuliffe Branch Library, Framingham

Tuesdays/Thursdays, 12pm - 1pm

MetroWest YMCA, Framingham

Monday-Friday, 4:30pm - 6:30pmSaturdays & Sundays, 11am - 1pm

West Hill Park, Natick

Tuesdays/Thursdays, 11:30am - 12:30pm

Questions? Contact Maggie Lynch: MLynch2@metrowestymca.org


Additionally, the Milford Public Schools are partnering with the Hockomock YMCA to offer meals at Memorial Elementary School:

Memorial Elementary School

11am-12:30pm, Monday - Friday, June 24 - August 16

You can visit the Project Bread Summer Eats website to learn more about the program and find an interactive map listing meal sites, times, and points of contact across the state.


Kali and her kids recently attended a Summer Eats Kickoff Party hosted by the MetroWest YMCA at the Amazing Things Art Center in Framingham.

2. Additional MetroWest Summer Meals Programs


In addition to these Summer Eats sites, a few area providers and school districts in the MetroWest region are offering supplementary or complementary programming. Find these options in the table below.

Town

Site

Schedule

Program 

Learn more

Maynard

Open Table 

Tuesdays – 3:00 to 6:30 PM;

Thursdays – 11:00 to 4:30 PM

Kids Summer Lunch Program (Meal pickup) 

Hudson

Quinn Middle School

Monday mornings, June 17 - August 19

Summer Food Program (Food delivery for students enrolled in Hudson public schools)

Framingham

Butterworth Park

Thursdays from 11:30-12:30

Daniel's Table Full Belly Bag Program (Food pickup) in collaboration with the YMCA

Contact Daniel’s Table for information: 

(508) 405-0769


Download the Open Table flier here:


Download the Hudson Public Schools fliers in English, Portuguese, and Spanish here:





3. SUMMER EBT


Summer EBT is a federal program administered by the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) that helps low-income families with school-aged children buy food when schools are closed for the summer. The benefit is $40 per month for each eligible student ($120 for the summer).



For families who already receive SNAP, this benefit will automatically go onto EBT cards in July. For families who are eligible for Summer EBT but do not receive SNAP, the DTA will mail out Summer EBT cards, also in July. Most eligible families in Massachusetts do not need to apply for the program; the DTA should issue these benefits automatically. However, if your family was not automatically enrolled, you can apply online through DTA Connect. Children are eligible if they attend a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and if their household meets the income limits for these programs.


4. Year-Round MetroWest Food Pantries and Meal Programs


Last but not least, families can access all of the usual pantry and meals programming from area providers that we update on the MWFC calendar each month. Some families may not be accustomed to using these resources during the school year, but could benefit from a little extra support with their weekly groceries during the summer months. If you want to help spread the word about these options, you can find printable fliers on the website listing pantry and meal site information for each MetroWest town in our catchment area.


 

We hope that the options above can provide support to you or your friends or neighbors this summer if needed - and, we know that no family or child should have to worry about getting food on the table during the summer months in the first place. That’s why a big aspect of our work at the MetroWest Food Collaborative is to advocate for policies and funding that expand equitable food access and alleviate food insecurity permanently. Learn about our policy priorities here, check out our latest newsletter for tips on taking action, and sign up for our emails to stay in the loop.


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As the Fiscal Year 2025 Massachusetts State Budget continues to make its way through the House and Senate, we at MetroWest Food Collaborative (MWFC) are continuing to advocate for the funding that will contribute to a just and thriving regional food system. With government program cuts and fiscal tightening looking like realities this year, we need to keep our voices loud for food equity.


Expand each section below to learn more about 1) why the State Budget matters for regional food access, 2) how the State Budget process works, 3) what is happening with the budget now, and 4) how you can take action for a budget that centers food equity.



WHY DOES THE MASSACHUSETTTS STATE BUDGET MATTER FOR REGIONAL FOOD ACCESS?

How does the state budget process work? 

What is happening with the Budget now? 

How can you take action for a budget that centers food equity?


Thank you for being part of the work to build a stronger food system in MetroWest!


As always, please reach out at MetroWestFoodCollaborative@gmail.com if you have questions.


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