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The state has established a committee to create its first Food System Plan in more than three decades, according to a press release issued by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council.
According to the council, the committeeโs work will include planning for an ecologically stable network of food producers, consumers, processors, retailers and distribution hubs. Groups โworking toward greater social equity, health and sustainable water useโ will also be considered.
The council is collaborating with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, Franklin Region Council of Governments and Massachusetts Workforce Alliance to create a Food System Plan to โhelp Massachusetts to be more self-sufficient when it comes to producing and consuming our own food, to plan for more equitably distributing our food and to prepare for climate change and other evolutions in our food system.โ
Over the next year and a half, the team will meet with farmers, the food industry, distributors, residents, waste handlers and others to โproduce a comprehensive assessment of the food system and to issue recommendations for strengthening the stateโs food economy.โ
A version of this story appeared on InsideMedford.com.


