Neighbor News
REC to Benefit from Project Bread’s Community Investment Program
The two-year grant program is designed to support local community projects in Malden, New Bedford, Lynn, Lowell, Holyoke and Worcester.
WORCESTER, Mass. – Regional Environmental Council (REC) has been awarded the first of two annual installments of $30,000 to support its commitment to eradicating hunger in Massachusetts. The “Moving the Needle” community investment program launched by Project Bread is designed for organizations addressing food insecurity with sustainable and systemic change. This initiative focuses on three key priority areas: Policy and Advocacy, Innovation, and Education to Expand the Reach of Federal Nutrition Programs.
REC focuses on building community food security through school and community gardens, youth farming, and mobile and community farmers market programs. Their work through this grant focuses on increasing awareness and use of the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP). HIP helps SNAP clients buy more fruits and vegetables for their household by providing rebates for purchasing local food at farmers markets, farm stands, and CSA’s. REC operates Mobile Farmers Markets 40 weeks out of the calendar year, with locations open between 3 and 6 days a week where community members can use all types of payment, including SNAP/HIP to purchase healthy local food. The Mobile Farmers Market brings farmers markets to communities that may not be able to reach traditional farmers markets with locations including community health centers, public housing, and the Worcester Senior Center. They also operate an online pre-order program with evening pickup times available. Funds will also support increased outreach for the program to parents through the REC’s Farm to Early Childhood project, which supports garden-based programs and education at all four Worcester Head Start locations.
Project Bread is the leading statewide food security organization in Massachusetts. The nonprofit engages residents, elected officials, and businesses to act against hunger so everyone in the Commonwealth has reliable access to food. The “Moving the Needle '' community investment strives to leverage people’s voices and experiences, local political will, and efforts to fight food insecurity in their communities, like REC. This is the second round of multi-year grants that Project Bread has distributed since 2021. Project Bread has also allocated the “Pathways to Change” community investment program this fall, awarding an additional $29,700 to 5 organizations in Fall River, Lawrence, and Chelsea to develop spaces for community conversations and engagement around food access.
“Investing in local communities is an essential way to make a lasting impact.” says Adriana Mendes-Sheldon, Director of Community Partnerships at Project Bread. “We believe in the power of community-led solutions. Our local partners and stakeholders are experts in addressing challenges and meeting their community’s unique needs. I’m excited to witness the innovative and transformative projects that arise from this opportunity and to see the progress it creates in the fight against food insecurity.”
The “Moving the Needle'' competitive community investment grant program received multiple applications from the communities of Malden, New Bedford, Lynn, Lowell, Holyoke and Worcester. Project Bread has issued the Moving the Needle awards to four nonprofits. All organizations will join Project Bread's Community of Practice, where organizations and community leaders gather to share expertise and knowledge to support and amplify each other's strengths, knowledge and resources.
“We’ve seen increases in food insecurity in Worcester over the past year, as food prices rise and pandemic SNAP benefits ended this spring,” says Grace Sliwoski, Director of Programs at REC. “Expanding the Healthy Incentives Program can be a critical resource for families looking to stretch their food budgets, increase their fruit and vegetable intake, and support our local farming community.”
People experiencing food insecurity should call into Project Bread’s toll-free FoodSource Hotline (1-800-645-8333), which provides confidential assistance to connect with food resources, including SNAP benefits, in 180 languages and for the hearing impaired. For more information, visit: www.projectbread.org/get-help.
About the REC
The Regional Environmental Council (REC) is a grassroots food justice organization located in Worcester, Massachusetts. Founded in 1972, REC is dedicated to bringing people together to create a just food system and build healthy, sustainable and just communities in Worcester and beyond. REC’s major initiatives and programs include: YouthGROW, a year-round youth employment and leadership program for Worcester teens on 2 urban farms; UGROW, a network of community and school gardens; REC Community and Mobile Farmers Markets, bringing healthy, local food to locations across the city where price and proximity are barriers to food security.
About Project Bread
Project Bread, the leading statewide food security nonprofit, connects people and communities in Massachusetts to reliable sources of food, while advocating for policies that make food more accessible—so that no one goes hungry. For more information, visit: www.projectbread.org.
