HD.2096: An Act establishing the hunger free campus initiative
(Co-filed with Representative Andy Vargas, filed in the Senate by Senator Joan Lovely as SD.1567)
This bill aims to address the rate of student food insecurity on college campuses in Massachusetts by creating a grant program and funding for colleges to implement programs to alleviate food insecurity on their campuses. Currently, 37% of students at Massachusetts public universities are food insecure, undermining their academic achievement and success.
HD.2197: An Act relative to an agricultural healthy incentives program (HIP)
(Filed with Representative Andy Vargas and in the Senate by Senator Jo Comerford, as SD.829)
The healthy incentives program (HIP) provides a 1:1 dollar reimbursement when SNAP users buy fruit and vegetables from participating vendors. HIP increases access to healthy food by increasing the resources SNAP users have to purchase locally grown food, while supporting Massachusetts farmers. This program has been demonstrated to be highly effective and successful since it first began in 2017.
HD.2378: Resolve providing for an investigation by a special commission relative to the strengths and sustainability of the Commonwealth’s emergency food network
(Filed with Reprsentative Andy Vargas)
This bill would establish a commission to study the strengths and challenges facing food pantries in the Commonwealth. The proposed study would assess the adequacy of state support, organizational sustainability, and the emergency food network’s capacity to meet community needs. The commission’s work would result in recommendations to strengthen the system.
