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Bill

HD 482

An Act relative to the Massachusetts Food Policy Council

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by James Arena-DeRosa and 1 co-sponsor

Massachusetts creates Food Policy Council to coordinate statewide food system policies across agencies and stakeholders for improved food security and agricultural sustainability.

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Bill Summary · HD 482

Legislative bill overview

HD 482 establishes a Massachusetts Food Policy Council as a formal state body to coordinate food system policies across multiple agencies and stakeholders. The council would bring together representatives from agriculture, public health, nutrition, environmental protection, and other relevant sectors to develop comprehensive food policy recommendations and implementation strategies.

Why is this important

Food policy currently operates in silos across different state departments with limited coordination, potentially creating gaps or conflicts in addressing food security, agricultural sustainability, and nutrition. A centralized council could improve efficiency in addressing interconnected challenges like food access, farm viability, environmental impacts, and public health outcomes—issues that affect both rural economies and urban food deserts.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and authority: Whether the council has advisory power only or can mandate policy changes across agencies; unclear enforcement mechanisms could limit effectiveness
  • Funding and staffing: The bill's resource requirements aren't specified; establishing new bodies requires budget allocation that may face opposition during tight fiscal periods
  • Representation balance: Questions about whose interests are prioritized (farmers vs. consumers vs. environmental advocates) and whether all affected communities have meaningful representation on the council

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

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