MA H128

Summary of H.128: An Act Relative to Establishing a Food Justice Frontline

• Creates the Food Justice Frontline Program within the Department of Agricultural Resources to provide grants up to $500,000 to nonprofit food security organizations for creating paid jobs in food production, distribution, preparation, and delivery for food-insecure residents

• Targets "Overburdened Communities" defined as Census Block Groups at or above the 75th percentile for at least 2 EPA environmental indicators (such as PM 2.5, ozone, lead paint, Superfund proximity) and with median household income no greater than 80% of statewide median

• Requires funded positions to pay an hourly wage calculated as 1/2,400 of statewide per capita income, with organizations allowed to apply for multiple grants

• Establishes a youth outreach program through the Department of Transitional Assistance and Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development to increase awareness of SNAP and Healthy Incentives Program, paying residents under 18 at least $15/hour as stipends

• Mandates outreach be conducted in multiple languages and directs agencies to apply for federal Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grants from USDA for matching benefits