On June 30, the Massachusetts Food Trust Program (MFTP) officially completed its first fiscal year in operation. The program was created by the Baker-Polito administration in 2018, and LEAF was designated its lead administrator. Working together with Franklin County Community Development Corporation (FCCDC), LEAF seeks to increase access to healthy, affordable food in low-income urban, suburban, and rural communities with an emphasis on businesses producing, promoting, and selling healthy food grown, caught, or harvested in Massachusetts.
In total, the MFTP funded 12 projects in 7 counties across the state of Massachusetts, disbursing over $1,000,000 in loans and small grants, and leveraging over $4 million in outside funds.
Each project has a story posted on the MFTP website–check them out to see if one of your local grocers or wholesalers was funded, or to learn more about these awesome small businesses!
In fiscal year 2020, LEAF looks forward to disbursing an additional $1,000,000 in state funds to approved applicants, supported by an additional $2,000,000 of in-hand matching funds provided by LEAF and FCCDC. We hope to increase the amount of funds leveraged with state grant money this year; to find out how you can help us make the biggest impact possible on healthy food access in Massachusetts, read our Investor Fact Sheet, or schedule a call with a team member!
Image: Farm and Community Collaborative apprentices in Plymouth County, MA learn about sustainable agriculture and food systems
