Food System Leadership
ABOUT
Boston Local Food involves our entire food system of New England and beyond. We support the New England Food Vision "50by60", that is actively working towards a future in which 50% of the food consumed by New Englanders is sourced from New England by 2060. This ambitious goal relies on consumers, but also all other players in the food system: legislators, researchers, grocery stores, banks, tech companies, non-profits (like us), and most importantly food businesses. Everyone of Boston Local Food's initiatives lend towards this goal, but we have a few projects that specifically fall under this domain.
MCLFF Organization Map
Buy Local Groups
The Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts is recognized by the state as one of nine non-profits designated as "buy local groups" - who are contracted to promote local food through direct marketing and technical assistance to local food producers. This group forms the Massachusetts Coalition for Local Food and Farms (MCLFF). Leaders from this coalition meet monthly to combine efforts and share knowledge as we work to expand opportunities for local food and farm businesses in Massachusetts.
Locally-Sourced Value-Added Products
With support from the USDA, we are leading a feasibility study to grow the value-added products/consumer-packaged goods industry in New England. This study includes consumer demands surveys/focus groups, as well an inquiry into the industry through conversations and interviews with farmers, fishmen, processors, and food buyers. This project will help grow the industry by providing emerging producers with a market assessment as they are considering which new products to pursue, access to consultations as they grow their products, and marketing to consumer/buyers through tasting and focus group panels.
Political Advocacy & Coalition Building
Boston Local Food is a touch point in the region for moving the needle in our food system and politics. One way are doing this is by organizing the Local Food Partners of Boston, which is a coalition of non-profits and food businesses that meets quarterly to share resources and work together towards evolving the food system. Another way we do this is by coordinating with the MCLFF and the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative on state wide political initiatives.
Contact us.
If you are interested in participating in one of our ongoing projects, have an issue you would like to raise to the state, or a bill you’d like our support on - reach out to our Local Food Program Manager, Kerry Kokkinogenis, at kerry@sbnmass.org.