MA Legislators Tour Granby Farm to Celebrate Return of HIP

Local food advocacy representatives and local legislators will celebrate the return of MA Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) benefits this month with a tour of Red Fire Farm on Thursday, May 30 at 11 a.m. Farmers and advocates are seeking additional funding to offer access to HIP benefits year-round.

 Red Fire Farm will welcome Massachusetts State Senator Eric Lesser and Massachusetts State Representative Dan Carey, along with reps from the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative and CISA, on the farm at 7 Carver Street in Granby for a guided walking tour. The public, including SNAP customers and CSA members, are invited to visit the farm, join the tour of the property, and speak with the legislators and advocates about HIP.

 “HIP is really a win-win for local agriculture and lower-income people in our community,” said Red Fire Farm co-owner Sarah Voiland. “It’s made such a difference for our farm, with more visitors to our farmers’ markets and farm store, and more members in our CSA program.”

 The winter lapse in HIP benefits that occurred this year ends on May 25th. To prevent a similar break in service next winter, advocates are currently seeking an increase in program funding to $8.5 million in the Fiscal Year 2020 budget.

 With reactivation on May 25th, the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) allows SNAP/EBT members to earn matched incentive dollars up to a monthly limit for purchasing eligible fruits and vegetables from local farms. Red Fire Farm customers can use HIP benefits daily at the Granby store and at Tuesday summer farmers’ market booths in Northampton and Springfield. CSA signups via SNAP are also welcomed for the upcoming summer and fall seasons of farm shares.

The celebration event is free to attend and will feature samples of fresh-cut organic produce, other local food store samples, and light refreshments to be served for guests as they experience the farm and meet with Sen. Lesser and Rep. Carey.

 Eric P. Lesser, who represents nine towns including Granby, in the 1st Hampden and Hampshire District, took office in the Massachusetts Senate in 2015 and was re-elected in November 2018. According to his official bio, Lesser’s “legislative agenda focuses on the fight for greater economic opportunity and quality of life for Western Massachusetts.”

 Dan R. Carey was elected in November 2018 and is currently serving his first term in the Massachusetts House of Representatives on behalf of the 2nd Hampshire District. He is a member of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

 Red Fire Farm, founded in 2001 and owned by Ryan and Sarah Voiland, grows certified organic produce, fruit, garden plants, and flowers on 115 acres in Granby and Montague. They provide fresh produce statewide through CSA farm shares, the store in Granby, Red Fire North in Montague, wholesale, and farmers’ markets.

For more details regarding the HIP program history and current advocacy objectives, please visit the MA Food System Collaborative’s website:https://mafoodsystem.org/projects/HIP/