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H 222

An Act relative to an agricultural healthy incentives program

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by James Arena-DeRosa and 52 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill establishes voucher program enabling low-income residents to purchase fresh produce from farms and farmers markets to improve nutrition and food access.

Hearing scheduled for 09/16/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 222

Legislative bill overview

H 222 establishes an agricultural healthy incentives program in Massachusetts designed to increase access to fresh produce for low-income residents. The bill likely creates a voucher or subsidy system that allows eligible participants to purchase fruits and vegetables from local farms and farmers markets at reduced cost or free of charge.

Why is this important

Food insecurity and limited access to fresh produce disproportionately affects low-income communities, contributing to higher rates of diet-related chronic diseases. This program aims to improve nutrition, support local agricultural economies, and reduce the health burden associated with food deserts by directly increasing purchasing power for nutritious foods.

Potential points of contention

  • Program cost and funding source: Questions about how the program will be funded and whether the recurring budget impact is sustainable, particularly if participation exceeds projections
  • Eligibility criteria and scope: Debate over income thresholds, household size calculations, and whether the program should prioritize certain populations or be universally accessible to all low-income residents
  • Administrative burden: Concerns about implementation complexity, whether farmers markets have infrastructure to process vouchers, and how the state will track program effectiveness and prevent fraud

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

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