A Message from our Executive Director:
Mid-August is peak season on our farms, with an incredible variety of vegetables coming out of the fields – melons, garlic, potatoes, carrots, squash, cucumbers, and tomatoes, to name a few. It’s the pinnacle of a farm crew’s efforts, and everything needs to be done all at once. Planting, weeding, harvesting, watering, selling – and do it all over again the next day. The region has had a tiny bit of rain, but not nearly enough, and farmers are hard-pressed managing water for their crops. But there is a special quality to the light, promising the cooler days of fall will soon be here, and the blue jays are sounding their raucous late summer call. But the season is far from over—fall crops are just around the corner.
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Massachusetts Expanding
Food Safety Regulations
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The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is preparing to expand statewide implementation of the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Public comments on the draft regulations will be accepted until August 21st. |
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$36 Million in Food Infrastructure Grants Available |
The state of Massachusetts has established a new Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program to ensure that individuals and families have access to fresh, local food. Eligible projects will address immediate and future needs of the local food system.
Applications are open now and will be accepted on a rolling basis until funding runs out or until September 15, 2020.
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New SEMAP Staff Member:
Welcome Olivia!
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We're excited to introduce Olivia Hart as SEMAP's new Communications and Outreach Coordinator. A recent graduate of Simmons University, Olivia is a Massachusetts native with passions in public health, nutrition, sustainability, and food systems. She is thrilled to combine these interests in her new role managing SEMAP's social media/other communications, and coordinating the Welcoming Markets grant project. |
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Freedom Food Farm Winter CSA |
Freedom Food Farm in Raynham, MA is now accepting sign-ups for its Winter CSA running Oct. 20, 2020 - March 27, 2021. Pasture-raised meat and organic vegetable shares can be full or half-sized, and can be picked up at the farm store. Image: @freedomfoodfarm on Instagram |
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Heart Beets Farm Fall CSA |
The Fall CSA season starts October 26 and lasts 8 weeks guaranteed. Pick-ups are on Mondays from 3pm-7pm at Heart Beets Farm in Berkley, MA, or 6-7pm at RopeWalk in Mattapoisett. Heart Beets's fall CSA is a healthy mix of hearty roots and fresh greens. |
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Cluck and Trowel Fresh Chicken |
Cluck and Trowel Farm will have fresh whole GMO-free pastured chicken available for pickup at their farm in Little Compton, RI, Aug. 20-23rd. (Frozen thereafter.) Please email cluckandtrowel@gmail.com to reserve your whole chicken! Price is $7/# (approx. 4# each). Delivery available in Little Compton, Westport, and Dartmouth areas. Please inquire. |
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Cranberry Vine Catering Options |
Pembroke MA-based Cranberry Vine Catering & Events has opened an online store offering contactless curbside pick-up. We offer a new menu weekly, featuring our customers' favorite dishes with local products. Each week our new menu can be found on our website and Facebook page.
We have also begun catering small events with consideration to all aspects of our food service, with the safety and well-being of our staff and guests at the forefront of our practices. Currently we focus on intimate backyard events, birthdays, weddings, family dinners and more.
While our standards have always been high, we are taking extra precautions to insure safety. For more information please visit our website or email kathryn@cranberryvinecatering.com.
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Eat Local MA App
This August and September, the Eat Local MA iOS and Android app is here to help you to find nearby farms, fisheries, farmers’ markets, food businesses, and restaurants that have committed to sourcing local ingredients.
Download the free mobile app today on iOS and Android stores, and begin finding local food and farms near you. Submit pictures of your receipts through the app to level up and win local food prizes!
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MassGrown Exchange
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has just launched MassGrown Exchange, a platform to encourage business-to-business connections within the local food system for products and services. With this tool, food buyers and suppliers can sell and purchase each others' products and services directly. Potential sellers and buyers are encouraged to register their business.
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Five minutes of your time can shape our future and fight food insecurity on the Southcoast. This survey will help us understand how Plymouth, Norfolk, and Bristol county residents get food and find food resources. Responses will inform policy/programs that increase food access and health for all. |
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EEE Response in Southeastern MA |
In response to this year's first human case of EEE (eastern equine encephalitis, a rare mosquito-borne virus) in Plymouth County, the state of Massachusetts conducted aerial insecticide spraying on August 10 in several communities in Bristol and Plymouth counties. To learn more about EEE response, personal protection, and view spraying maps, click the link below. |
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Farm Aid Video:
Call for Submissions
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Farm Aid (which produces the annual Farm Aid benefit concert) is seeking submissions for a farmer video montage to be shared on its social media, and with other audiences. The video aims to show how family farms are essential to our food system, health, and democracy. Deadline to submit is August 21! |
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If you're a farmer or food producer in Southeastern MA, WE NEED YOUR INPUT! Take the Southcoast Food Hub Survey for Farmers/Food Producers and help us identify your needs. This survey is part of a food system assessment for SEMA, led by Coastal Foodshed, SEMAP and the Marion Institute's Southcoast Food Policy Council. |
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Communications Coordinator |
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Public Relations Coordinator
(Remote, part-time)
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Tri-State Bulk Order Coordinator |
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NOFA Conference Workshop Coordinator |
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Thanks to Anawan Farm in Rehoboth, MA for renewing their SEMAP membership for the coming year! This small family-run farm offers organically grown vegetables and farm fresh eggs with pickup and delivery options. The farm also grows pesticide, fungicide, and herbicide free zinnias and sunflowers with pick-your-own slots available. Find Anawan flowers at the Attleboro Farmer's Market and Southcoast Open Air Market! |
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We're excited to welcome Wellness Croft in Plymouth as a new SEMAP member business! This veteran-owned, freeze-dried produce business focuses on sustainable, ethical, plant-based snacks. Wellness Croft's facilities do not process the most common allergens, and all snacks are plant-based from start to finish. |
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Renew Your SEMAP Membership or Become a Member Today! |
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PO Box 80625, S.
Dartmouth, MA 02748
Executive Director:
(508) 524-2601
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