Reimagining Food Systems. Redefining Justice.

Partnership is the cornerstone of our work and Springfield EATS is a reflection of that. Springfield EATS’ work this year has been driven by a commitment to expanding access to healthy food, advocating for systemic policy changes, and building capacity for resident engagement and community organizations. With continued support from partners, funders, and community members, we will deepen our impact in the coming year, building local food systems, and improving health outcomes for Springfield’s most vulnerable populations.

MassUP (now known as Springfield EATS) funding in year 3 enabled partners to come together and coordinate mutual aid efforts during the pandemic. It strengthened collaboration by helping organizations build collective power and share strategies for equity. BIPOC-led organizations in Springfield gained leadership and influence, while white-led groups deepened their antiracist practices and hired more local leaders of color. Partners demonstrated flexibility by creating new roles, piloting innovative projects, and influencing policy, funding streams, and government responses to food insecurity. These efforts also improved systems from healthcare and food pantries to SNAP access and elevated advocacy for programs like HIP.

In response to the pandemic, SFPC built 128 backyard gardens in 2020. That has become an ongiong project - we never stopped. To date we have put in 423 backyard gardens (including a church garden). We continue to support families in maintaining and expanding gardens. SFPC also built the original pilot school gardens in 5 elementary schools, and through our work on the School Wellness Policy, helped to institutionalize the Springfield Public Schools farm to school program which now has 35 school gardens, a STEM driven garden curriculum, a school garden coordinator, and teachers at each school stipended to lead the school gardens.  

Medical student Justin Nguyen (PURCH) and SFPC Epidemiologist Hellen Muma walk through how to use HIP benefits.

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SFPC is working with our patners....

In response to proposed federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Springfield Food Policy Council and Square One have launched a joint education campaign to protect access to fresh food for families and support local farmers. The campaign includes a postcard initiative where children illustrate their favorite farm-grown foods to urge U.S. Senators to pass the Senate Reconciliation Bill, known as “The Big Beautiful Bill.” These cuts could severely impact SNAP recipients, Massachusetts' 7,000 farmers, and free school meals, affecting nearly 300,000 children statewide. Leaders warn that reduced support will increase hunger, strain families, and threaten the survival of small, underrepresented farmers who nourish local communities.

In partnership with Farm to Institution New England (FINE), SFPC has convened food providers from schools, colleges, hospitals, early care, food banks and pantries, and farmers to map out the infrastructure, processes and supply chains to see how to build more robust local food procurement in the region. The goal is to increase access to healthier foods for the commuinty and create a more stable food economy, and more wholesale opporutntieis for small local farms.  

The SFPC started the development of a community food assessment which aims to present what we have already “learned” about our local food system and to identify challenges and opportunities for building an integrated food system that ensures a healthy, local, sustainable food supply available to everyone regardless of income or zip code. Our focus is to help Springfield residents and city leaders understand what we have and what we need to do to enable our neighbors to access the food that they need for good health. The assessment will also inform strategies for alleviating hunger and/or the worry about having enough food to feed ourselves, our families and our neighbors. 

 Beginning in 2014, the SFPC has supported and passed municipal policy to ensure Springfield school districts have permanent gardens as well as the integration of gardening into school curriculum. ​Gardening engages students by providing a dynamic environment to observe, discover, experiment, nurture, and learn. School gardens are living laboratories where interdisciplinary lessons are drawn from real life experiences, encouraging students to become active participants in the learning process.