Recently, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) awarded $920,700 to five agricultural groups through the Massachusetts Food Ventures Program (MFVP). The MFVP intends to address food access and expansion of economic opportunities through new food ventures and enterprise throughout the state.

The MFVP awarded projects that support the food processing infrastructure, distribution systems, and retail outlet strategies that increase access and available of healthy, local food.  The grant recipients included Commonwealth Kitchen, Franklin County Community Development Corporation, Nuestras Raices, The Livestock Institute of Southern New England, and World Farmers.

The Commonwealth Kitchen in Dorchester is using their award to process gleaned and surplus produce into simple, minimally-processed products to feed low-income and food insecure families. In addition, the Franklin County Community Development Corporation will be expanding capacity at their food processing center with the construction of a cold storage unit to increase longevity of locally grown vegetables, and purchasing additional equipment to increase their food business.

RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts is a recycling assistance program for businesses and institutions. If you need assistance with setting up a composting or recycling program, call our hotline: (888) 254-5525 or email us at info@recyclingworksma.com.