Keep Farming in the Hilltowns

Keep Farming in the Hilltowns

This ongoing initiative aims to reinforce our regional food system by engaging the community in developing actionable strategies that address the needs of both local producers and consumers.

Initially funded through a 2014 federal Local Food Promotion Program grant, the project has more recently partnered with Healthy Hampshire and Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) to continue connecting key stakeholders and pilot alternative food distribution models.

In designing the pilot, we're exploring critical questions:

* What food choices do Hilltown residents wish they could make differently?

* How do those choices impact the local food economy?

* What improvements could help residents access the foods they want?

* How can we bolster the Hilltown food system?

* Could food assistance programs negatively affect the existing system?

* Is there a way to create a "win-win" - strengthening local food while increasing access for the food insecure?

Keep Farming in the Hilltowns is focused on three key threads:

1. Providing technical assistance to farmers

2. Advocating for and exploring shared infrastructure to expand local food markets

3. Developing mechanisms to increase fresh, local food access for low-income residents and isolated seniors

Goal 1: Brand the Hilltowns to raise awareness of regional farms and local food

* Launch a marketing campaign highlighting the area's farms, food, and health benefits

Goal 2: Increase local farm product sales to stores and residents

* Facilitate buyer-producer communication and connections

* Explore expanding an existing food aggregation business into the Hilltowns

* Investigate feasibility of delivering local products to isolated seniors and low-income households

Goal 3: Boost farmer awareness of resources and support programs

* Create a website hub for agricultural information and networking

* Host farmer potlucks for information sharing

* Provide tailored business assistance for small farms

Goal 4: Research infrastructure to meet area farm needs

* Assess buildings/barns that could be repurposed for shared farmer use

* Explore regulations and feasibility of a small-scale meat processing facility

* Identify available land for new and expanded agricultural production

Want to build a Food Access Program?

In collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, we've created a comprehensive toolkit to empower organizations and individuals in establishing their own food access programs. We believe that all people deserve the opportunity to obtain healthy, locally-sourced sustenance, and that the hardworking farmers who provide this nourishment should receive fair compensation for their efforts.

If you have any questions or would like feedback as you explore this toolkit, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to support your efforts in building a more equitable and accessible food system for your community.

Access the Toolkit

Check out the Hilltown Food Access Map

We worked with the Hilltown Food Policy Council to research and develop a map of all farms, grocery stores, and meal services in the Hilltowns, If you would like your business listed please let us know.

Hilltown Food Access Map

For more information about our business assistance program and opportunities for Hilltown Farmers, please contact Hunt Chase at huntc@hilltowncdc.org or 413-296-4536 x116