Food Systems
Food systems resources -- including "local food" -- at the UMass Libraries and beyond.
Valley resources and just beyond...
- Blue Dragon ApothecaryCommunity-oriented herbal medicine clinic whose mission is to create a model for sustainable medicine, foster patient education and promote healthy lifestyles.
- Center for Self Reliance Food PantriesDrop-in food pantry in Greenfield, MA where people with low incomes can receive food and farmers market coupons . A satellite pantry is in Shelburne Falls.
- Common Share Food CoopWill be a full-service, community- and worker-owned grocery store located close to downtown Amherst and on a bus line. The store will feature local, sustainably grown, organic and conventional produce, meats, and dairy products, as well as a community space for socializing, meetings and events.
- Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA)Strengthens local agriculture by building connections between farmers and the community.
- Eat WildState-by-state directory for finding pasture-based farms and access to grass-fed meat and dairy products.
- Edible Pioneer ValleyQuarterly publication that celebrated the food, farms and culture of the Pioneer Valley, season by season.
- Farmers Markets in Western MassachusettsDirectory of locations, hours, etc.
- Farm to Fork: The Pioneer Valley's Local Food and Agriculture ShowListen to audio archives of this local radio show (running 2005 to present). Type "Farm to Fork on Valley Free Radio" in the blank field of Internet Archive. Also here: https://spinitron.com/WXOJ/show/113670/Farm-to-Fork
- Fertile GroundEmpowers children, youth and families to make smart food choices, and to work together across race, class and difference, improving their communities through school gardens, food celebrations, and caring for the land.
- Food PlayNutrition media company which tours the nation's schools and special events using the power of live theater and interactive resources to turn kids on to healthy eating and exercise habits. Based in Hatfield, MA.
- Grow Food AmherstUMass Permaculture Initiative collaborates with the Town of Amherst and lots of community members too. You are welcome to join these projects!
- Leverett Village Co-opLeverett 413-367-9794
- Massachusetts Farm to School ProjectTools to help bring local food and food education to your community
- Massachusetts Food Policy Councilworks to increase farming and sales of Massachusetts grown foods and to support programs to bring healthy foods to everyone in the state.
- Massachusetts Food Systems Collaborativecreated following the completion of the Massachusetts Local Food Action Plan in December 2015. The goals of the Collaborative are to promote, monitor, and facilitate implementation of the Plan.The Collaborative's work focuses on the four main goals of the Plan:
Increase production, sales and consumption of Massachusetts-grown foods.
Create jobs and economic opportunity in food, farming and fishing, and improve the wages and skills of food system workers.
Protect the land and water needed to produce food, maximize environmental benefits from agriculture and fishing, and ensure food safety.
Reduce hunger and food insecurity, increase the availability of healthy food to all residents, and reduce food waste. - New England Small Farm InstituteBelchertown, MA
- NOFA Masshe Massachusetts chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association. NOFA/Mass welcomes everyone who cares about food, where it comes from and how it’s grown.
- Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working GroupA regional network of member organizations and individuals working together to create a more sustainable and secure regional food system -- one that is economically viable, environmentally sound and socially just and produces safe and healthful food. We w
- Not Bread AloneFamily-style meals in a nurturing environment. It's a place to relax, refuel, and connect with others in our community.
- Nuestras RaicesA grass-roots organization that promotes economic, human and community development in Holyoke, Massachusetts through projects relating to food, agriculture and the environment.
- Pioneer Valley Sustainability NetworkA broad-based network that builds mutually beneficial partnerships to promote a sustainable, just, regenerative future for our region. We bring our vision into being through collaborative support and action on specific projects in service to our community
- PVGrowsCollaborative network dedicated to enhancing the ecological and economic sustainability and vitality of the Pioneer Valley food system. Membership is free.
- Rachel's TableAims to alleviate hunger and reduce waste of our food resources in Western Massachusetts. Rachel’s Table is a project of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts.
- Red TomatoConnects Northeast farmers and consumers through marketing, trade, and education, and through a passionate belief in a family-farm, locally-based, ecological, fair trade food system.
- Regenerative Food NetworkEmerging network connecting Western MA with Southern VT for healthy climate, soil, food, people. Vision is 30% regeneratively grown food in the Northeast region by 2030.
- River Valley MarketMember-owned natural food cooperative located in Northampton, MA. Open to all.
- Seeds of SolidarityA nonprofit organization that provides people of all ages with the inspiration and practical tools to use renewable energy and grow food in their communities. Based at Seeds of Solidarity Farm which runs on alternative energy.
- Valley LocavoreCheck out Mary Nelen's juicy, newsy blog!
- Women Infants and Children (WIC)Geared to pregnant, breastfeeding, and post-partum women and children up to age 5, WIC provides checks to buy nutritious foods, including at farmers markets.
Cool Valley Offering
No Interest Loans for CSA Farm Shares
Join the UMassFive College Federal Credit Union and be eligible for this amazing new program.
Franklin County
This document was created in 2012 by a student team from the Conway School of Landscape Design in Conway, MA.
- Last Updated: May 14, 2025 2:11 PM
- URL: https://guides.library.umass.edu/foodsystems
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