Two local groups are using state grant money to launch efforts to get food to more people and to help communities grow their own produce.
Located in Lanesborough, Red Shirt Farm is in the middle of completing its new farm store and commercial kitchen. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources awarded Red Shirt Farm $50,000, and the farm will match the grant to go toward the infrastructure costs of the store and kitchen.
Jim Schultz, Red Shirt owner and co-farmer, said that they have been awarded more than $700,000 so far in grants from the state and federal government for the project. This recent grant will bring them closer to completion. As of now, the farm's distribution models are farmers markets and a summer community supported agriculture program. Schultz said that when he started thinking about the store, he knew the farm could grow more food, but there was no other outlet for distribution.
"At the core, our driving force is to nourish our community with the best food possible and this (farm) store is going to allow us to really expand our ability to do that," Schultz said.
The Red Shirt Farm Store will help expand the vegetables available to members of its CSA program, in which members pay the farm for a share that provides them with fresh vegetables for 20 weeks beginning in June. Those on SNAP can use their benefits to pay for their share.
Read more at spectrumnews1.com