Guidelines and regulations to promote healthy eating patterns; standards and practices to ensure that food is safe for consumption; efforts to address inequalities in food access...these are just a few examples highlighting the role of policy in our food system.Â
In a nutshell, food policy is how government actions — including legislation (the making of laws) and regulations (how those laws are implemented) — shape our food system. These policy decisions occur at all levels of government: Federal, state, and local. Non-governmental institutions also provide opportunities for policy change. Learn more from this Food Policy 101.Â
Here in Massachusetts, many of the laws that regulate the local food system are made by the state legislature. Legislators have to make decisions on many issues and they can’t be experts in all of them - they need your help! They count on us to keep them informed on what’s happening at the community level, and they need to hear when policy changes or funding are needed. Learn more advocacy tips for food system stakeholders from the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative.Â
Regional-level:
Reviewing reports from the New England Food System Planners Partnership project, New England Feeding New England: Cultivating A Reliable Food Supply, including Massachusetts-specific research and documentation.Â
State-level:
Thanks to the leadership of the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative, following legislative activity and aligning with other collaboratives and coalitions to support (through community and stakeholder education and calls-to-action) bills that would strengthen our local food system.
Meeting with, and learning from other coalitions and food policy councils from around the state through the Local Food Policy Council Network.Â
Reviewing and engaging in discussions related to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Farmland Action Plan.Â
Local-level:Â
Following the work of, and engaging with, the Salem Food Policy Council and Lynn Food Policy Council (current Coalition member organizations).
As part of MDAR's 1st Annual Urban Agriculture Week in July 2024, attending an event hosted by Mack Park Farm, attended by state and local policymakers. Â
Reviewing local and municipal reports and plans, including the Upper North Shore Food System Study and Beverly & Salem Resilient Together Climate Action & Resilience Plan.Â
Identifying policy opportunities and potential actions in other planning project communities, and engaging with local stakeholders to align on a path forward.
For example, addressing Beverly's City Council to provide an overview of the Coalition's goals and activities.Â
Looking ahead:Â
The Massachusetts legislature filed many bills in the 2025-26 session that relate to recommendations made in the 2015 Massachusetts Local Food Action Plan, the 2020 Perspectives on Resilience and Recovery report, and the 2023 Farmland Action Plan. We're continuing to follow and engage in current legislative activity, with continued thanks to the leadership and coordination by the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative.Â
In alignment with the Collaborative and other organizations throughout the state, in March 2025 we signed this white paper identifying 9 bills as legislative priorities for passage during the 2025-26 session.
Some activities we're planning:Â
Continue collaboration with MAFSC, including following legislative session activity and supporting identified priorities.
Learn from and support activities of existing municipal food policy councils within our Coalition.
Identify policy opportunities and actions in planning project communities and other North Shore communities, and engage with local stakeholders to align on a path forward.
Provide community education and tools so residents feel knowledgable and empowered to contact their elected officials to support actions that would strengthen our local food system.
The Massachusetts Food System Collaborative leads the Campaign for HIP Funding to ensure that the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), which provides fresh, healthy, local fruits and vegetables for SNAP recipients, receives increased state funding to meet demand, operates year-round, and adds new farmers to fill gaps in program coverage. Learn more about the Campaign and get involved with their current call to action!