MONTAGUE — The Montague Public Libraries are accepting submissions for a cookbook that aims to capture the community significance of sharing meals, traditions and stories, while also raising money for the new library building project.
A variety of recipes are sought from home cooks, bakers and family recipe keepers, and will be compiled into a book that will then be available at the Millers Falls Library’s food pantry. Submissions are due Wednesday, Aug. 5.
Additionally, proceeds from the cookbook will go to the Friends of the Montague Public Libraries, which is raising money for the project to construct a new library at 38 Avenue A in an effort to reduce the burden on taxpayers.
“During times of increased food insecurity, it’s important to come together and share resources,” Montague Center librarian Kate Martineau said in a statement. “By contributing a recipe, you can inspire food pantry recipients to try something new and feel more confident cooking with local produce.”
The statement from the Montague Public Libraries announcing the cookbook notes how, “in this amazingly fertile valley where fresh produce is bountiful, many of our friends and neighbors still go hungry.” According to the latest statewide report published by The Greater Boston Food Bank and Mass General Brigham, 48% of households in Franklin and Hampshire counties faced food insecurity in 2025.
The statement also notes that local gardeners often donate fresh produce to the Millers Falls Library’s food pantry, but some food pantry users may question what can be cooked using those ingredients.
Martineau said the idea came out of the Montague Food Security & Sustainability Coalition, which seeks to combat food insecurity through community organizations, local businesses and municipal boards. The group met at the start of the summer and the cookbook idea emerged, inspired by the “Plant a Seed, Read” summer reading theme.
Organizers are seeking original recipes, or adapted recipes with credit to the original source. Ingredients, measurements, cooking temperatures and cooking times are needed as part of the submission.
Recipes can be emailed to Martineau at kmartineau@cwmars.org or submitted using the Montague Public Libraries form at tinyurl.com/3m62wn36.
