HEATH — A Franklin County farm is among 17 recipients of more than $25,000 in state grants aimed at expanding food access for low-income residents.
The grants, announced through the Department of Transitional Assistance, provide equipment at no cost to farms and farmers’ markets to facilitate the acceptance of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) benefits. With its funding, New England Wild Edibles, a mushroom farm based in Heath, was able to replace some recently broken equipment, as well as buy an iPad and credit card reader.
“The Baker-Polito Administration continues to seek opportunities that both strengthen the commonwealth’s food supply system while also increasing access to healthy produce,” Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides said in a Department of Transitional Assistance press release. “By expanding the Healthy Incentives Program and providing SNAP equipment benefits, we are able to better meet the needs of so many by directly addressing food insecurity issues within our communities.”
New England Wild Edibles at 52 Avery Brook Road was founded in 2007 by Paul Lagreze, a self-described “mycologist, mushroom consultant, mushroom connoisseur and mushroom steward.” Although the farm’s mainstay is shiitakes and other specialty mushrooms, and several mushroom-derived products can be found on their website, the business also sells fruits and vegetables.
Lagreze’s son, Elijah, said New England Wild Edibles is “super happy to have the HIP grant enabled.” He said the farm has been offered similar grants before, having initially applied at the time of its founding. This most recent grant came at an opportune time, allowing the farm to replace its broken equipment.
Elijah Lagreze praises HIP and SNAP, noting they help many Franklin County customers gain access to high-quality produce they may not be able to afford otherwise. Simultaneously, through the equipment grants, farmers gain the money and equipment they need to offer high-quality products and services.
“The HIP program is fantastic,” he said. “It enables lower-income folks to acquire goods at farmers’ markets for no cost to them, yet farmers still get paid through the grant program.”