The Massachusetts State Legislature has left the DTA food assistance program known as HIP underfunded by 10 million dollars. This is a significant shortfall.

Lexington Community Farm is one of 25 farms around the state that offers CSA shares to SNAP (food assistance) recipients. This allows SNAP users to to have access to fresh, local produce for 20 weeks out of the year.

HIP is a reimbursement program through which SNAP recipients are credited up to a certain amount for purchases made at participating farmers markets, farm stands and in CSA programs. It allows families to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables. Since 2020, the HIP programs have expanded, allowing for more farms to supply those facing food insecurity with fresh produce. It has always been a win-win for producers and customers.

LexFarm has sold almost $12,000 worth of food through the SNAP program this year to date. It might not seem like much, but as an organization focused on feeding all in our community it speaks volumes for the many customers we have that use these benefits. Because of the funding shortfall, the DTA is cutting the amount of HIP funds each family gets to $20 per month for all SNAP recipients. Currently HIP amounts are based on family size with the largest families (6+ members) receiving $80.

SNAP recipient families are your neighbors, your coworkers, your farmers and your childcare providers. Cutting benefits to families as heating costs rise and the holidays loom, is a blow to those facing food, housing and other insecurities.

Massachusetts Food Systems Collaborative’s Call to Action is below:

Our asks to HIP advocates:

  • Call the Office of Governor Maura Healey and LG Kim Driscoll at (617) 725-4005 and ask them both to support $10 million in a future supplemental budget, and share how this change will affect your farm or household.
  • Share your story with DTA leadership (dta.hip@MassMail.State.MA.US) and MDAR leadership too, and ask that they work with the legislature to stop the cut!
  • Call legislative leadership to ask that they support  $10 million for HIP in a future supplemental budget, and share how this change will affect your farm or household:
    Senate President Karen Spilka: (617) 722-1500 Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov
    Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues: 508-646-0650 Michael.Rodrigues@masenate.gov
    Speaker of the House Ron Mariano (617) 722-2500 Ronald.Mariano@mahouse.gov
    House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz (617) 722-2990 Aaron.M.Michlewitz@mahouse.gov

With gratitude, 

Allison Ostrowski, Lexington Community Farm

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