The statewide group of advisors to the Massachusetts Food System Plan will meet from 9:30AM to 1:00PM at Union Station in Worcester to continue the development and review of goals and recommendations to increase economic activity and equity in our state's
Food Security Plan

The Pioneer Valley is fortunate to have an extremely well organized and highly functioning regional food system that addresses both food insecurity and development of a sustainable food system through long-standing, successful efforts by groups with a regional vision such as the Food Bank of Western Mass and the not for profit advocacy organization Community Involved Sustaining Agriculture (CISA). Additionally, community-based governmental and non-governmental initiatives such as Nuestras Raíces in Holyoke, the Springfield Food Policy Council, Grow Food Northampton, Gardening the Community, and others, work on these pressing issues at the local level.
The purpose of the Pioneer Valley Food Security Plan is to add value to these existing efforts by accurately describing the existing system, highlighting best practices, identifying any gaps, and facilitating regional consensus on how to close these gaps and advance the creation of a sustainable regional food system. Members of the Advisory Committee who helped develop the plan perceive its usefulness as a strategic action document that clearly articulates the region’s top priorities for action on food security/food sovereignty issues and identifies primary implementers as well as sources of funds for implementation.
Documents
Executive Summary Food.pdf

PV Food Security Plan.pdf

Appendix A - Qualitative Research Survey Findings.pdf

Appendix C - School Meals Data.pdf

Appendix D - Food System Toolkit.pdf

Additional Documents
PVPC Food Security Plan FINAL 2014.pdf

Pioneer Valley Food Security Plan Articles
Business West takes a dive into the the local food economy this month with a fantastic story about local farms, local food purchasing at UMass, and the great w
Pioneer Valley residents will have another opportunity to provide input to the Massachusetts Food System Plan on Wednesday, April 15.
Who can buy healthy fresh vegetables in our region and who can't? Why and why not? How has institutional racism shaped access to healthy food in our region and beyond? What is needed to build a resilient food system that provides for all?