Our Food, Our Future​

Imagine a vibrant, accessible, and culturally appropriate food system in the City of Springfield. That's our vision.

ANNOUNCING SFPC'S GROW-A-GARDEN INITIATIVE!
BACKYARD, FRONT YARD, AND CONTAINER GARDENS IN SPRINGFIELD

Want to grow your own food—right in your yard? The Springfield Food Policy Council believes that everyone who wants to grow their own food should have the support that they need to do so. To help make this happen, we are installing raised-bed and container gardens through our Grow-a-Garden initiative. ​

FOOD SECURITY VIRTUAL PANEL AND Q&A
May 12, 2020, at 4:30pm

Organized by Senator Jo Comerford, this virtual panel will take place via Zoom and Facebook Live. Panelists include:
  • Jessica O’Neill, Executive Director, Just Roots
  • Phil Korman, Executive Director, Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture
  • Liz Wills-O’Gilvie, Steering Committee Chair and Working Director, Springfield Food Policy Council
  • Deb Habib, Executive Director, Seeds of Solidarity
  • Christina Maxwell, Director of Programs, Food Bank of Western Massachusetts

RESOURCES

DISPROPORTIONATE RACIAL IMPACTS OF COVID-19
"The COVID-19 crisis is hurting all our communities, but not equally. The data that would allow us to document the pandemic’s uneven toll rigorously are incomplete and only now emerging - and it’s already clear that communities of color, including children, once again are on the frontlines of vulnerability." Click the link below to read more and access an up-to-date list of articles and resources documenting this crisis.
SEVEN DAYS OF FREE SCHOOL MEALS AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS, NO ID REQUIRED
During the school closures prompted by health and safety concerns related to the coronavirus, children enrolled in Springfield Public Schools may pick up a free breakfast, lunch, and dinner at any of the schools listed as distribution sites. On Fridays, they may also pick up additional meals for Saturday and Sunday.
Any person 18 or under is eligible for breakfast and lunch pickup. No ID, registration, or address is required. Service is grab-n-go style from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday-Friday until school resumes. Students may attend any school they are near; it does not need to be the school where they are enrolled.
TOLL-FREE FOOD ASSISTANCE HOTLINE FOR MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS
If you or someone you know needs food assistance during this time of closures and crisis,
call Project Bread's FoodSource hotline at 1-800-645-8333
or TTY: 1-800-377-1292 for the hearing impaired community
for help finding food resources in your community, school meals, or applying for SNAP benefits. Counselors can assist callers in 160 languages from Monday-Friday, 8am-7pm, and Saturday 10am-2pm.

NEWS

Springfield schools expanding meal plan to include dinner
April 6, 2020
  • Dinner is now available for pickup with breakfasts & lunches
  • Closed on 4/10 based on the district calendar: all Friday and weekend meals will be available on 4/9
You can still get stimulus payments without filing a tax return
April 4, 2020
  • Free tool from TurboTax allows you to submit information and receive a stimulus check without filing 2019 tax returns
Trump Food Stamp Cuts Blocked by Judge Who Cites Pandemic
March 13, 2020
  • Changes to SNAP program would mean 700,000 would lose benefits
  • Judge bucks administration's opposition to nationwide bans
We are the Springfield Food Policy Council, an independent body that oversees the coordination of public and private efforts to improve access to nutritious, affordable, culturally appropriate, fresh, and safe foods for all residents of Springfield.
Find out the location and hours of your nearest farmer's market here. 
Are you an educator interested in starting a school garden? Read this step-by-step guide, which offers important information about how to safely grow your own fruits and vegetables with your students.