Bill > H4423

This bill establishes a comprehensive Food Justice Frontline program within the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance to address food insecurity and economic challenges in disadvantaged communities. The program will provide grants up to $500,000 to nonprofit food security organizations that create jobs in "overburdened communities" - defined as census block groups with high environmental stress indicators and low median household income. Eligible organizations must propose programs that provide agricultural land or food-related jobs (such as food production, distribution, preparation, and delivery) to low- and moderate-income residents. The jobs created must pay a wage calculated as a proportion of the statewide per capita income. Additionally, the bill mandates a separate public awareness initiative to promote food assistance programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), which will employ Massachusetts residents under 18, prioritizing youth from low-income and environmentally stressed communities. The program will conduct outreach in languages reflecting the native languages of targeted communities and may seek federal matching benefits to support its efforts. The department is granted broad powers to implement, regulate, and administer the program, including the ability to enter contracts, hire staff, and develop guidelines for grant applications.

Budget and Finance

Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries (J)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4423