At CISA, we’ve been following the debate around Ballot Question #3 with great interest. The proposed change to the rules around animal confinement would impact the practices and livelihood of one farm family in the state, and it would prohibit the sale of eggs and meat from animals that have been confined.
Tag Archives: Blog
Nutrition program teaches that healthier eating is within reach
Hunger is not just about lack of food. It’s also about lack of nutritious food. Here at The Food Bank, our dedicated Nutrition department addresses the connection between food and health by leading programs in the community, and educating our neighbors in need so they can make healthier choices. Drawing upon their years of experience, […]
Creative Rural Urban Alliances Webinar
Last week, we shared information about Art of the Rural collaborations that address both rural and urban communities alongside staff from the Rural Policy Research Institute and M12…
New SNAP system leading to more problems for those seeking assistance
Since this past October, the state of Massachusetts has seen an exceptionally sharp decline in the number of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP; formerly food stamps) recipients. This sudden drop is not due to recovery in the economy, but rather to a “business process redesign” implemented by the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA). Although this […]
Local senior grows fresh vegetables to feed those in need
Elske Smith is proof that you don’t need to be a farmer by profession to provide fresh produce to our neighbors in need in Western Massachusetts. Elske is a senior living at Kimball Farms Life Care in Lenox, Massachusetts. This season, she has provided Berkshire County pantries and meal sites with an amazing 150 pounds […]
BJ’s Charitable Foundation Grant helps The Food Bank turn a cold shoulder to hunger in Western Mass.
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts is proud to announce that we are one of 30 food banks to be awarded grants this September from BJ’s Charitable Foundation. The foundation is distributing grants in celebration of BJ’s Wholesale Club’s 30th anniversary. As a member of the Feeding America network, The Food Bank is among those […]
Volunteers give their all to help feed local community
Volunteers are essential to The Food Bank’s mission to feed our neighbors in need and lead the community to end hunger. Without the hard work and dedication of our volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to accomplish all we do for the community. As always, our volunteers have been going above and beyond. This year to […]
Nutrition team engages the community to teach families healthy eating habits
by Diane Alpern RD, LDN, Food Bank Nutrition Coordinator In a recent government study, it was reported that researchers found that obesity among children ages 2 to 5 decreased to 8%, from 14% a decade ago. More broadly, health officials last year reported slight drops in obesity for low-income preschoolers in 18 states. Obesity rates […]
Reflections on Diversity and Inclusion in Western Massachusetts
by Andrew Morehouse, Executive Director Recently, I had the good fortune of participating in a two-day intensive “Undoing Racism” workshop hosted by a local group of the same name — the Undoing Racism Organizing Collective (UROC). I’d like to share with you some of my reflection on the workshop, and why this topic is important […]
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts inducted into Hall of Fame
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts is proud to announce that, in January, we were inducted into the Feeding America Advocacy Hall of Fame. We are part of an elite group as only one of twelve food banks in the nation to be included. As a new member of the Hall of Fame, we will […]