State Awards $300,000 to Buy Local Organizations

BOSTON – The state has awarded $300,000 in grants to support the efforts of six Buy Local organizations.

The grants will be used for projects which seek to connect food producers to their surrounding communities in Western, Central, Northeastern and Southeastern Massachusetts.

“Buy Local organizations are committed to the idea that knowing where your food comes from makes both good health and economic sense,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Through these grants, this administration demonstrates its commitment to supporting a sustainable local food system while at the same time generating consumer awareness and demand for locally grown food products.”

The Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership received over $69,000, which will go to helping enhance and strengthen the market position of local farmers and fishermen in Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, Norfolk and Plymouth counties.

The state’s Buy Local organizations were originally formed to identify and address marketing challenges in specific geographical communities across the Commonwealth.

The organizations have now grown to be known as a sustainable business movement that includes innovative marketing and educational programs.