Merrimack Valley YMCA Awarded an MA FRESH Grant for Early Childcare Programs
We are pleased to announce we have received $21,871 in MA FRESH grant funding from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Office for Food and Nutrition Programs.
The third round of the state-funded, competitive MA FRESH (Farming Reinforces Education and Student Health) grant has awarded $1.2 million to 24 school districts and 10 early education and care programs across the Commonwealth to support local food and local food education in schools.
This year’s MA FRESH projects were made possible with food literacy funding in the Massachusetts state budget. This funding enables schools and early education sites to purchase and prepare more locally grown Massachusetts food, invest in farm to school efforts, and provide students with experiential learning opportunities inside and outside the classroom.
“This year’s FRESH grant builds on last year’s success by expanding farm-to-school learning across the Merrimack Valley YMCA’s Early Childcare programs,” says Beth Ann Schmitt, Director of Grant Management. “Through hands-on experiences, children and educators will deepen their understanding of where food comes from, healthy eating, and environmental stewardship.”
Childcare staff will continue professional development with Mass Audubon, integrating environmental education, foodways, and nutrition into daily learning. Children will visit local partners such as Farmer Dave’s and Benson’s Ice Cream to explore agriculture and food production firsthand, while new outdoor garden spaces will provide ongoing opportunities for experiential learning. Families will also be invited to learn how to prepare healthy meals and snacks alongside a local chef.
“We are delighted to see a diversity of programs and communities receive funding to further food education opportunities, enhance school meals highlighting local foods, and establish food literacy programs in schools. We are thankful for our Massachusetts Legislators and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for making these funds available to schools and childcare centers across the Commonwealth to do this important work. We see emerging and vibrant educational and meal programs tapping into this innovative funding to support the kind of farm to school programming we envision for every community in the Commonwealth,“ Simca Horwitz, Co-Director of Massachusetts Farm to School, stated.
Advocates are still working to establish a permanent farm to school MA FRESH Grant program in Massachusetts to provide ongoing support for the infrastructure investments, staff training, and educational initiatives that lead to farm to school program success and sustainability.
