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HD 2231

An Act establishing a farm-to-institution pilot program

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Natalie Blais and 1 co-sponsor

Creates a state Farm-to-Institution Pilot Program and dedicated Fund to increase local procurement by public institutions and support Massachusetts farms.

Referred to the committee on Agriculture
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Bill Summary · HD 2231

Summary: An Act Establishing a Farm-to-Institution Pilot Program (HD 2231)

Purpose and Intent

  • Create a Massachusetts Farm-To-Institution Pilot Program to increase procurement of locally grown food by public institutions (schools, hospitals, correctional facilities, and other state-funded entities) and to build capacity for local farms and the regional food supply chain.
  • Establish a dedicated Massachusetts Farm-To-Institution Fund to finance program activities and scale up local procurement statewide, with ongoing funding opportunities from state, private, and federal sources.

Key Provisions

Fund and Financing (Chapter 29 amendments)

  • Establishment of the Massachusetts Farm-To-Institution Fund, supervised by the Commissioner of Agricultural Resources.
  • Fund sources: designated state appropriations, interest, private contributions (non-profits/foundations), federal grants, and other gifts.
  • Funds do not revert at year-end to the General Fund and are not subject to further appropriation process for reallocation.
  • Authorized expenditures include:
    • Grants or reimbursements to institutions to offset local sourcing costs
    • Technical assistance and grants to local farms to scale production or meet procurement standards
    • Landscape analysis, strategic planning, and capacity-building infrastructure
    • Implementation and evaluation of the pilot program
  • The Department should pursue additional federal funding (e.g., USDA Local Food Promotion Program, Farm to School grants, etc.).
  • Annual reporting on fund activity due by December 31 to key legislative chairs and clerks.

Program Establishment and Administration (Chapter 128 amendments)

  • Section 125 defines: Institution, Local Farm, and Program.
  • The Department (in coordination with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Department of Education) will administer the program with the goal of informing statewide expansion.
  • Objectives:
    • Increase local procurement by institutions
    • Support small and medium-sized Massachusetts farms
    • Provide technical/financial assistance to institutions for local sourcing
    • Promote educational initiatives about local food systems

Program Activities

  • Landscape analysis focusing on Berkshire County and gateway city pilot programs to identify gaps in processing, transportation, and storage; assess procurement opportunities.
  • Develop a scalable strategic plan for broader deployment in other regions.
  • Learn from or augment existing farm-to-institution models to be more inclusive.
  • Grants/loans/technical assistance to:
    • Farmers (scale up production, access institutional markets)
    • Middle-value-chain operators (aggregators, processors, distributors)
    • Institutions (schools, hospitals, correctional facilities) to build local sourcing capacity
  • Implement a pilot program with clear, measurable benchmarks.
  • Establish a regional stakeholder working group to guide implementation.

Governance and Equity

  • An advisory committee to guide program development, including:
    • Commissioner and EEA Secretary as co-chairs
    • Farm organization and local farmer representatives
    • Institutional representatives
    • Public health/nutrition expert
  • Emphasis on prioritizing small and historically underserved farms; additional support for institutions serving underserved communities to ensure equitable access.

Affected Parties

  • Local farms and farm organizations statewide (with focus on small/undercapitalized operations)
  • Public institutions (schools, universities, hospitals, correctional facilities, and other state-funded entities)
  • Intermediaries in the farm-to-institution supply chain (aggregators, processors, distributors)
  • State agencies: Department of Agricultural Resources, EEA, Department of Education
  • Advocates and community organizations involved in local food systems

Procedural and Timeline Notes

  • Status: Referred to the Massachusetts House Committee on Agriculture.
  • Introduced: May 12, 2025 (Bill HD 2231)
  • Legislative framework: Adds new fund (Chapter 29, new Section 2KKKKKK) and new program (Chapter 128, new Section 125).
  • Annual reporting requirement to legislative leadership and clerks.
  • Pilot program design includes measurable benchmarks and regional working group guidance, with potential statewide expansion based on evaluation.

Potential Impacts

  • Expanded local food procurement by public institutions, driving demand for Massachusetts farms.
  • Capacity-building investments in farms, processors, distributors, and institutions.
  • Enhanced coordination across state agencies and alignment with education and health objectives.
  • Increased funding certainty for local-food initiatives through a dedicated fund and federal grant opportunities.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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