League of Women Voters hosting Legislative Coffee

GREENFIELD — The League of Women Voters of Franklin County will host a Legislative Coffee with state Rep. Natalie Blais and state Sen. Jo Comerford on Saturday, April 5, at 3 p.m. at the Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center.

“It is as vital to engage at the community-level as it is to call our national leaders to account. Our state legislators understand the local impacts we’re facing — they need our passion and advocacy to bring attention to our needs at Beacon Hill,” Marie Gauthier, president of the League of Women Voters of Franklin County, said in a statement. “We encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to raise their collective voices and be heard.”

This event is free and open to all. Refreshments will also be provided.

The League of Women Voters of Franklin County is a nonpartisan grassroots political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government; works to increase understanding of public policy issues; and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For more information, visit lwvma-franklincounty.org.

Rachel’s Table Teen Board presents Hunger Awareness Artsfest

LONGMEADOW — The Rachel’s Table Teen Board invites the community to experience the Hunger Awareness Artsfest 2025, a youth art exhibit designed to ignite conversations about food insecurity. This year’s theme, “Beyond the Lunch Line: Kids Facing Hunger,” explores childhood hunger through the eyes of young artists from across western Massachusetts.

The exhibit will be on display at Storrs Library in Longmeadow from April 2 to April 14. Community members can visit the gallery during library hours.

An artist celebration will be held Monday, April 7, at 6 p.m. in the gallery, offering the public an opportunity to celebrate the artists and learn more Rachel’s Table and the Teen Board.

The Rachel’s Table Teen Board is dedicated to fighting food insecurity through peer-to-peer education, leadership, service and advocacy. The Teen Board leads initiatives like Artsfest to engage their peers in discussing solutions to local food insecurity.

For more information, visit feedwma.org/teen-board or email sbate@feedwma.org.

MassHire holding job fair at Hampshire Mall

HADLEY — The MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center will hold its Spring Fling Multi-Industry Job Fair at the Hampshire Mall on Thursday, April 3, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Participating employers include Behavioral Health Network, Community Action Pioneer Valley, Judd Wire, LifePath, Mayhew Tools, Northfield Mount Hermon School, Pete’s Tire Barn, Quabbin Valley Healthcare, Travel Kuz, Valley Medical Group and Working Fields, to name a few.

No advance registration is necessary. Call 413-774-4361 with questions.

Applications for Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program due May 5

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program is accepting applications for fiscal year 2026 projects to support a more local and resilient food system. Applications are due by Monday, May 5, at 4 p.m.

Launched in 2020 as a response to the pandemic and supply chain disruptions, the Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program has continued to build supply chain resilience by increasing the capacity of farmers, fishers, and other local and regional food system entities to feed Massachusetts residents. Eligible applicants must contribute to the local food system and have been in operation for at least three years.

Proposals must align with one of four project types: expansion of agriculture and seafood production; local and regional mid-supply chain expansion; food access and availability; or emergency preparedness and resilience. Projects must be for capital improvements such as season extension equipment, cold storage and distribution expansion, value-added processing equipment, adaptive infrastructure that protects critical infrastructure against supply chain disruptions or equipment for increasing food production. FY26 awards will range from $10,000 to $1 million, requiring a 20% cash match.

Visit Mass.gov/ApplytoFSIG for evaluation criteria, examples of funded projects, review timelines and application materials. A pre-recorded informational webinar, presentation slides and a question-and-answer document are also available.

All questions must be submitted to FSIGGrant@mass.gov by Monday, April 14, at 4 p.m.