3 Plymouth Organizations Receive Food Security Grants

PLYMOUTH, MA — The state has approved $26.3 million in grants to strengthen Massachusetts’ food supply system and mitigate future food supply and distribution disruption issues. State officials announced the funding to 165 projects via the Food Security Infrastructure Grant program at the Fruit Fair Supermarket in Chicopee last week.

Three Plymouth projects will benefit from the program. The South Shore Community Action Council, Inc. received a $29,618 grant. F/V Voyager was awarded a $8,309 grant. Cold Bottom Oyster received a $4,728 grant.

The program was created to combat urgent food insecurity resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The recent flooding in Western and Central Massachusetts is expected to have a further impact on food security in Massachusetts, according to Gov. Maura Healey.

The program is designed to ensure farmers and other local food producers are better connected to a resilient food system. The administration prioritized projects that support organizations impacted by drought or extreme weather events for the first time in the program's history.

“In speaking to farmers over the past week, it’s clear that they need support now more than ever after being hit hard by extreme weather events from flooding to drought to late frost,” Healey said in a statement. “Our farmers are the backbone of Massachusetts’ food infrastructure, and it’s critical that we continue to make short and long-term investments through grants like these to help strengthen resiliency and enhance mitigation efforts.”