GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Berkshire Bounty and Maple Shade Farms were both awarded Food Security Infrastructure Grants (FSIG) to address food insecurity.

 

The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced over $22 million in grants to support 113 local food producers and food system organizations, in addressing food insecurity in Massachusetts. These funds will help strengthen Massachusetts' food production and distribution sectors, which will allow residents more access to fresh, locally grown and produced food. 

 

In Berkshire County: 

The grants are made possible through the Food Security Infrastructure Grant (FSIG) program, a competitive grant program administered by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR). The program is designed to support food security initiatives that provide more equitable access to locally grown, raised, harvested, and caught foods by strengthening the local food supply chain.

 

"Thanks to this transformative program, we're continuing our work to ensure that food producers and distributors in Massachusetts are equipped to feed our residents with fresh local products," said Governor Maura Healey. "While the Trump Administration is cutting food assistance for millions of people, Massachusetts is stepping up to make sure our communities have affordable, healthy food while also supporting our farmers and local businesses."

 

Launched in 2020 as a recommendation of the Massachusetts Food Security Task Force, the FSIG program provides grants for capital infrastructure projects 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. According to the most recent food access report by the Greater Boston Food Bank, 1 in 3 residents faced food insecurity in 2024. The program aims to foster increased collaboration between farmers, fishers, and other local food producers with the goal of maintaining a strong, resilient food system to help mitigate future supply chain issues.