Reimagining Food Systems. Redefining Justice.

"In order for us as poor and oppressed people to become part of a society that is meaningful, the system under which we now exist has to be radically changed. This means that we are going to have to learn to think in radical terms.
I use the term radical in its original meaning, getting down to and understanding the root cause. It means facing a system that does not lend itself to your needs and devising means by which you change that system."

- Ella Baker, 1969
(Source: Ransby, Barbara. Ella Baker & The Black Freedom Movement).

The SFPC

The Springfield Food Policy Council (SFPC) is an anchor organization in Springfield and Hampden County’s food system. Governed by resident-driven Community Advisory Boards, SFPC works to reduce food-related health disparities by increasing access to affordable, locally grown food through policy advocacy, local farm partnerships, and programs like the 40 Acres and a Mule Farm and 40 Acres Mobile Market. SFPC collaborates with its “Springfield EATS” partner, Gardening the Community (GTC), as well as other community-based organizations, early learning centers, healthcare centers, municipal departments, colleges and universities, and state and national partners working to create a community-centered food system grounded in health equity.

SFPC is a community-driven organization with deep roots across Springfield’s neighborhoods and a proven track record of building partnerships that deliver both measurable community impact and long-term systems change.

HELP MAKE THESE INITIATIVES POSSIBLE

AYUDE A HACER POSIBLES ESTAS INICIATIVAS POSSIBLE

Our Work

Springfield EATS

In the face of shrinking federal support, a higher demand for private support and looming devastating cuts to SNAP, school meal programs and Medicaid, partners have mobilized quickly to advocate for mitigating State policies, to educate and equip residents and our partner organizations with tools to understand and navigate the impacts and to educate policymakers and funders on the intersectionality of the work. Through strong collaboration, shared leadership, and deep trust, Springfield EATS continues to adapt and respond to community needs while advancing long term food access policy, systems & environment solutions.

Click here to read the full Springfield EATS Report

Leadership Pathway Creation

At the center of SFPC’s work is leadership development and pathway creation for community members who have been historically excluded from economic opportunity and civic decision-making. As well as with emerging professionals who may lack access to opportunities that center community health and leadership

40 Acres Farm & Backyard Garden Projects

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.

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Get HIP

Get Healthy

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

SFPC is working with our patners....

Click Here to Watch the Video

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Postcard Campaign

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.

Click Here to Read More

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Institutional Local Food Procurement

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.

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Community Food Assessment

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.

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School Gardens

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.

Click Here to Read More!

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