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Berkshire pilot bill seeks to connect farms with schools, hospitals and corrections to boost farmer revenues
Summary
Supporters told the committee H4106 would create a three‑year farm‑to‑institution pilot in Berkshire County and gateway cities to develop value‑chain infrastructure and procurement models so institutions can buy more local food.
Representatives from Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, Berkshire Bounty and local nonprofits urged the committee to support H4106, a three‑year farm‑to‑institution pilot designed to expand institutional markets for Massachusetts farmers.
"Institutions purchase millions of dollars in food annually. Redirecting even a small percentage of that spending to Massachusetts farms creates a significant economic opportunity for farmers," said Jake Levin, local food systems program manager at Berkshire Agricultural Ventures. Witnesses described common barriers: institutions often lack capacity to receive deliveries from multiple small farms, they need aggregation and processing services, and dining services sometimes lack knowledge of available local suppliers.
Testimony cited regional examples such as Williams College, UMass dining efforts and Island Grown Initiative on Martha’s Vineyard as models. Sponsors said the pilot would build replicable infrastructure and partnerships, support food‑rescue organizations and strengthen distribution links between producers and schools, hospitals, correctional facilities and other large buyers. The committee did not vote on the measure during the hearing.
