Southcoast Food Policy Council

10/30/2026

Help shape our regional food system! 🌱 Share your experiences to inform the Marion Institute’s updated Food System Assessment.

📅 Nov. 4 | 2–3 PM: Emergency Food Resource Meeting & focus group for food relief partners.

📅 Nov. 10 | 4–5 PM OR Nov. 18 | 9–10 AM: General sessions open to residents, community partners, and food system stakeholders.

All sessions are on Zoom facilitated by Holly Fowler of Northbound Ventures Consulting. Times are Eastern.

Register or contribute through our short survey:
https://www.marioninstitute.org/food-system-community-sessions/

10/30/2026

Help shape our region’s food future! 🌱

The Marion Institute is hiring a Southcoast Food Policy Council Program Director to bring people together and advance a healthier, more equitable local food system.

Passionate about food access, community partnerships, and turning ideas into action? We’d love to hear from you.

Learn more and how to apply: https://www.marioninstitute.org/job-posting-southcoast-food-policy-council-program-director/

Know someone who would be a great fit? PLEASE SHARE this opportunity with them!

10/21/2026

New solar panels on the Marion Institute’s Harvest Hopper help power our refrigerated electric van, supporting Fields to Families and Forgfoot Farm food deliveries.

09/24/2026

Register for tonight's Food Summit here: https://www.marioninstitute.org/food-summit-26/

Join us for the Southcoast Food Policy Council’s 2026 Food Summit! This year, we’re highlighting the people and programs strengthening our regional food system.

Get a preview of preliminary CARAT findings from six Southeastern Massachusetts counties, learn about the assessment process, and hear from community partners making an impact through Dock to School and Supporting New Farmers initiatives.

📅 Thursday, September 24, 2026
🕡 6:30–8:00 p.m.
💻 Virtual

Join us to explore how community knowledge, local data, and on-the-ground innovation can help build a stronger, more resilient food system.

🔗 https://www.marioninstitute.org/food-summit-26/

09/23/2026

South Coast oyster farmers are facing prolonged shellfish closures that threaten the future of their businesses—even when local waters may be safe.

In this new report from CAI, Marion Institute Executive Director Liz Wiley emphasizes that protecting public health and supporting local shellfish growers should not be competing priorities. While the root causes of wastewater pollution must be addressed, she also calls for timely testing and closure decisions based on demonstrated risk.

The story also follows Southcoast Food Policy Council CAB Member, Dale Leavitt, co-owner of West Island Oyster, as he explains the serious financial impact these closures are having on local farms.

Thank you to reporter Jennette Barnes and CAI for bringing attention to an issue affecting our region’s shellfish growers, coastal economy, and local food system.

Read or listen to the full story: https://www.capeandislands.org/local-news/2026-09-22/shellfish-closures-threaten-south-coast-oyster-farms

Be a part of the solution and join Marion Institute's Aquaculture Policy Coalition: https://www.marioninstitute.org/programs/sfpc/aquaculture-policy-coalition/

Oyster farms in Buzzards Bay have experienced a rash of shellfish closures in the past few years, designed to protect the public from f***l bacteria. The bacteria aren't new; the data reporting is. Oyster farmers say something needs to be done before they go broke.

09/09/2026

Join us for the Southcoast Food Policy Council’s 2026 Food Summit! This year, we’re highlighting the people and programs strengthening our regional food system.

Get a preview of preliminary CARAT findings from six Southeastern Massachusetts counties, learn about the assessment process, and hear from community partners making an impact through Dock to School and Supporting New Farmers initiatives.

📅 Thursday, September 24, 2026
🕡 6:30–8:00 p.m.
💻 Virtual

Join us to explore how community knowledge, local data, and on-the-ground innovation can help build a stronger, more resilient food system.

🔗 https://www.marioninstitute.org/food-summit-26/

07/30/2026

Your voice can help shape the future of HIP.

The Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is looking for SNAP participants to join a focus group and share their experiences with the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP).

No matter your level of familiarity with HIP, your feedback is valuable.

✅ Participate virtually or in person throughout August
💳 Receive a $50 grocery store gift card for your time

Complete the interest form by July 31 using the QR code or link here: https://forms.office.com/g/Ui1JGULpur

Please help us spread the word by sharing this opportunity with anyone who may be eligible!

07/29/2026

Great news for Massachusetts farmers! 🌱

The Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) is expected to reopen to new farmers and vendors this fiscal year—creating new opportunities to connect with SNAP shoppers while expanding access to fresh, local food.

If you've been waiting to participate, now is the time to prepare.

We break down:
✅ What HIP is
✅ How to become a SNAP retailer
✅ The steps to become HIP-enabled
✅ What CSA operators need to know
✅ Helpful resources to guide you through the process

Don't wait until enrollment opens—getting started now can help ensure you're ready when applications become available.

🔗 Read the full article through the link in our bio or here: https://www.marioninstitute.org/hip-is-expanding/

& Spread the word!!

07/29/2026

🎉 Eat Local Challenge GIVEAWAY #2 (of 4) 🎉

Our 21-Day Eat Local Challenge goes until 7/26!

🍽️ This week’s prize:
• $50 gift card from our friends at Ripe from the Vine in Mattapoisett
• 2 Marion Institute Frogfoot Farm Hats
• Eat Local Challenge Vinyl Stickers

Here’s how to enter:
1️⃣ Follow us
2️⃣ Like this post
4️⃣ Sign up for the FREE Eat Local Challenge → marioninstitute.org
5️⃣ Tag 3 friends in the comments
BONUS POINTS: Follow our friends at Ripe From The Vine Oil & Vinegar Company

📍Note: Winner must be able to pick up their prize at our office in Marion, MA.
📅 Winner announced Thursday, 7/16 in our stories, comments, + DM!

Let’s eat local + win local 💚

07/22/2026

Please help us spread the word!

See full job description here: https://www.marioninstitute.org/sfpc-program-director/

📢 We're hiring!

Do you believe everyone deserves access to fresh, healthy, and culturally relevant food? Are you passionate about building partnerships, facilitating collaboration, and creating lasting systems change?

The Marion Institute is looking for a Southcoast Food Policy Council Program Director to lead regional partnerships that strengthen food security, support local agriculture, and advance equitable food policies across Southeastern Massachusetts.

If you're a collaborative leader who thrives on bringing people together to create meaningful change, we'd love to hear from you.

📍 Full-time | Marion, MA
📅 Apply by August 15, 2026

Know someone who would be a great fit? Tag them below or share this post to help us find our next Program Director.

See full job description here: https://www.marioninstitute.org/sfpc-program-director/