Massachusetts Public Health AllianceFunding the Massachusetts Food Trust
Access to healthy food is essential for a healthy life. Unfortunately, more than 2.8 million people in Massachusetts, including 700,000 children and 523,000 older adults, lack access to grocery stores and other healthy food retailers. In response to this need, MPHA helped create the Massachusetts Food Trust Program (MFTP) to provide loans, grants, and business assistance to support new and expanding grocery stores, farmers markets, and other local food enterprises in low and moderate income communities.
With strong support from MPHA and our partners, the Program launched in 2018 with $100,000 in operating funds from the Legislature and $1 million in capital dollars from the Baker Administration. Since then, MPHA has helped secure additional funds for MFTP, resulting in loans and grants to support healthy food projects across Massachusetts. These include grocery store expansions, farmers markets, food co-ops, urban farm stands, and an initiative to increase the availability of fresh produce in corner stores.
Since its launch in late 2018, the MFTP has invested $6 million of state dollars that have leveraged $22 million of other funds. Due to a sustainable model that includes business consultation addressing client challenges, most retailers that the program has funded are still in business. To date, the program has only written off $65,000 out of total $5.8 million in loans disbursed between FY 2019 to FY 2024.
As cuts to federal nutrition and agricultural programs add strain to a statewide food system that is already overburdened, projects like MFTP play an important role in offsetting disruptions to farms, food pantries, and grocery stores. By investing in MFTP we can not only continue expanding access to healthy affordable food, but also drive economic growth, create local job opportunities, and help to build healthier and more prosperous communities.
Learn more about the Massachusetts Food Trust Program
Environmental Bond Bill MFTP Fact Sheet
Supporting Mass in Motion
Mass in Motion is a state program that works to lower the risk of chronic disease by creating communities that support healthy eating and active living. Eating better and moving more are powerful ways to stay healthy and prevent chronic disease. Mass in Motion is proven to reduce childhood obesity by working closely with local schools, restaurants, convenience stores and food pantries to offer healthier food and drink options. In addition, the program increases opportunities for exercise by improving access to healthy outdoor environments like public parks, playgrounds and green spaces.
MPHA has been a longtime supporter of Mass in Motion, and we continue to advocate for funding for this unique and effective program. By expanding this approach into more communities, we can help ensure that Massachusetts residents who are most at-risk for obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases have access to the tools they need to lead healthier lives.
Click Here to Learn More About Mass in Motion
Success! Closing the SNAP Gap
The “SNAP GAP” refers to the roughly 700,000 individuals in Massachusetts who are MassHealth recipients and are likely eligible for benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), but remain unenrolled. In a significant win for advocates, the legislature adopted the Common Application Amendment as part of the FY23 state budget. As a result, families applying for or renewing MassHealth coverage can now apply for SNAP food benefits at the same time.
By adopting the Common Application, Massachusetts is:
- reducing duplicate data collection and increasing the efficiency of state government,
- streamlining the application process for Massachusetts residents who qualify,
- stimulating the economy by bringing in millions of federal dollars to local communities, and
- helping our most vulnerable residents meet their basic needs.
Closing the SNAP Gap is a critical step forward in the effort to end childhood hunger in Massachusetts, provide access to healthy and nutritious food for low-income families, improve educational outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs. It also represents a major victory in our long-term effort to both improve health outcomes and eradicate health inequities in the Commonwealth.
Additional Resources:
Look up the SNAP Gap in Your Community
2025 – 2026 Legislation Endorsed by MPHA
Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) bill (H.222/S.104) by Reps. Domb and Vargas, Sen. Comerford
The Healthy Incentives Program means healthy families, sustainable farms, and a strong local economy. Operated by the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance, the program provides a dollar-for-dollar reimbursement when SNAP users buy fresh, healthy, local food directly from Massachusetts farmers.
HIP helps build an economically sustainable food system, helping make healthy food available to more people, and supporting farmers to be able to charge fair prices for what they grow, allowing them to better steward their land, protect natural resources, and contribute to the local economy
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