🚨Action Alert: Urge Senators to Co-Sponsor Priority Food Security/DTA Amendments 🚨
The MA Senate starts debate next week. Over 1,000 amendments were filed last Friday. Our friends at the FoodSNAPCoalition highlight three *(#531, #532, #702) that you need to know about.
Please urge your Senator to co-sponsor these food security and DTA amendments THIS WEEK!
In late October and early November, we experienced the largest ever disruption to SNAP when the Trump Administration chose not to distribute benefits during a federal government shutdown.
The Make Hunger History Coalition (@makehungerhistory ) and Project Bread (@projectbread ) are working on a report evaluating how that decision impacted Massachusetts and how Massachusetts responded.
If you are a frontline organization such as a food bank, food pantry, or HIP vendor operating during that team, please take this 10-minute survey (link in bio)
If you are an individual whose household was enrolled to receive SNAP during that time, please take the 10-minute survey linked in our bio.
Participants who complete this survey can enter into a raffle for a $25 gift card.
Templanza
Reflexión de abril: Encontrar el equilibrio en el trabajo
Abril invita a un tipo de impulso diferente: no rápido ni enérgico, sino constante e intencional. En el Tarot, esta energía se refleja en la carta de la Templanza, símbolo de equilibrio, paciencia y la unión de diferentes elementos para crear algo más fuerte.
#tarotbites
"The bill makes it easier for residents to access healthy food, making permanent the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) to help families afford fresh produce and the Farm to School program to bring local ingredients into schools. By codifying these programs, the Senate is continuing its response to federal actions that threaten food access as a part of the Senate’s Response 2025 initiative. A further Response 2025 priority requires that state emergency planning efforts prioritize the security of the local food supply chain given federal cuts to emergency planning.” -Food SNAP Coalition
Catch up on what's been going on the past month as well as what the @hcfpc has in store for April.
Follow the link to our newsletter archive here on our bio!
On March 26th, a delegation from Hampshire County including @hcfpc circle partners + representatives of the @foodbankwma travelled to the Statehouse in #Boston to participate in HIP Lobby Day, taking w/ legislators including @homargomezstaterep about HIP's critical importance for both #westernmass farmers + our neighbors facing #foodinsecurity
As de Espadas
Marzo trae consigo la fuerza del león, propia de la primavera.
El As de Espadas disipa la niebla e invita a la claridad, no solo en nuestros pensamientos, sino también en nuestras conversaciones. Es una carta de verdad, discernimiento y la valentía de nombrar lo que importa.
Hagamos de este un mes de reflexión honesta, palabras valientes y claridad colectiva.
#tarotbites
Simple / Simply Stunning, the "Simple Irish Soda Bread" recipe featured in our recent newsletter combines common pantry ingredients to produce a hearty, crusty loaf in just about an hour (no yeast = no long rise time).
Find the recipe in the comments or check it out in our newsletter archive (link in bio)
Shout out 🗣️ to Alexandra Mello and the rest of the Western MA delegation in D.C. today as part of the
Feeding America Advocacy Fly-In for the Farm Bill and SNAP
Right now over 300 #foodbank workers, anti-hunger advocates, and other allied representatives have gathered in the nation's capital to lobby lawmakers about the vital importance of programs like SNAP for the millions who use it as a lifeline when facing hard times
Thanks for representing us to our representatives!
@feedingamerica
photo from left to right:
Laura Sylvester Food Bank Of Western MA Public Policy Manager (@foodbankwma )
Emily Reardon, Food Bank of Western MA Advocacy Coordinator
Alexandra Mello Food Bank of Western MA, Community Engagement Team
Evie Schoenthal, staff to Representative Richard Neal
As the snow goes⛄🌡️🫠, the maple flows 🍁🌊
One of the yearly joys of living here in #hampshirecounty is loading up on pancakes loaded down w/ #maplesyrup fresh from a local #sugarshack during peak #syrupseason (i.e. right now)
Bonus points if your fav #syrup source flaps their own jacks like the @northhadleysugarshack
