Policy
The Coalition for Massachusetts Food and Farms (MCLFF) believes that public policy can play an important role in supporting local agriculture.
The State’s investment in our work helps our network provide critical support to Massachusetts farmers and fishermen, strengthen the local economy, preserve active working lands and waters, and make fresh, local food more available to all members of our communities.
The Massachusetts ‘Buy Local’ funding is an essential investment from the state that allows us to educate consumers about local agriculture, train and support farmers to develop thriving businesses, and increase the availability of local food for all members of the Commonwealth. In the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, we are advocating for the Commonwealth to support growing local economies through agriculture by funding the ‘Buy Local’ efforts at $1,000,000.
Our Advocacy Makes a Difference
Each year on Ag Day, Massachusetts farmers and agricultural groups bring a taste of Massachusetts farming to the State House in Boston. Featuring lots of great local food and real discussions about Massachusetts farms, Ag Day is an opportunity to engage lawmakers on issues important to the agricultural community. Staff members from the MCLFF coalition meet with legislators from across the state to advocate for the farming community’s legislative priorities.
Members of the MCLFF and the MA Food System Collaborative meet with Representative Smitty Pignatelli during Ag Day.