Executive Summary Overview

In 2023 & 2024, with multiyear funding from MA Community Health and Healthy Aging Funds, the Springfield Food Policy Council and Square One continued efforts they had begun during the Covid 19 pandemic to make healthy, locally grown food attainable for families across Springfield. From the fresh produce grown by World Farmers and distributed for free at Square One, Gardening the Community, and Brightwood Health Center to the personal touch of community leaders training residents on how to use programs like SNAP and HIP, every effort was driven by a genuine desire to uplift our neighbors.

At its core, this work is about connection. Imagine a child at Square One savoring a piece of fresh fruit, or community members gathering to learn, share ideas, and advocate for policies that make healthy food accessible to everyone. Leaders like Dawn DiStefano, Jemisa Douglas and Liz O'Gilvie didn’t just manage programs, they sparked conversations and built relationships that will continue to shape our food system for years to come.

Beyond distributing high quality fresh vegetables and protein, Springfield EATS has been a champion for change, pushing for policy reforms at the state level (Healthy Incentive Program funding & beginning farmer land access), the federal level (advocating to the FED about the cliff effect and young families, attending the Whitehouse Conference on Hunger, advocating for the Transformational Farm Bill), and empowering immigrant and refugee farmers to enhance their businesses by purchasing their cultural produce to distribute to marginalized families in Springfield. These efforts, coupled with creative programs and learning opportunities, have not only nourished families and children but also strengthened the social fabric of Springfield.

In short, this evaluation created in partnership with Fertile Ground, tells a story of hope, resilience, and the power of coming together, reminding us that when communities unite, even the simplest acts, like sharing a meal, can transform lives.

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Local Food Opportunities Are Expanded

For 4+ years The Springfield Food Policy Council coordinated 300+ free CSA shares a year (18 weeks), totaling 15,000 large boxes, and $348K/year of produce (including protein Y3, 4) purchased from World Farmers in Lancaster, MA.
Springfield Food Policy Council Piloted new ways of creating points of access for culturally relevant fresh locally grown food by immigrant and refugee farmers at community agencies and organizations.
Square One mapped organizational menu protocols to eliminate processed foods, and serve fresh fruits and vegetables, and spent additional $50K annually to serve them.
Square One purchased new headquarters & administrative buildings. Designing infrastructure for handling more fresh produce in new building kitchen; edible garden & playground; community space/market and kitchen.

Farm to Community Strategies are Expanded and Funded

Springfield Food Policy Council worked on three State food equity bills (land access, Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), MA food system), advocating for full HIP funding and land access for farmers.

Springfield Food Policy Council also Influenced federal campaigns for Transformational Farm Bill through contributing to marker bills and advocacy, and attended the Whitehouse Conference on Hunger.

Square One was invited to Washington DC to speak to the Federal Reserve and advocated to the regional branch in Boston about how they might support working families in Western MA, including childcare, healthy food access & family support services.

Resident Engagement

Springfield Food Policy Council brought Gardening the Community Youth to Washington DC to attend the Rural Coalition and advocated for the Farm Bill
SFPC held HIP trainings for community based social service agencies that support residents in Hampden County
Learning from the Grandmothers/Aprendiendo de las Abuelas: SFPC led with the Springfield Department of Health & Human Services, a conversation with elders about food ways.
SFPC began designing Community Food Assessment with Springfield Department of Health and Human Services.

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