Advocate for HIP – HIP Helps Farms + Families!

February 5, 2025
Advocacy, Farmers Markets, Farms, Food Access

HIP benefits have been cut to just $20 per month for ALL households, regardless of size—and they will remain low unless we take action!

What Can You Do?

1. Provide public comment to the Northampton City Council – Support passage of a resolution by the City Council to protect HIP funding! You can see the resolution in the City Council’s agenda here (under Item #15b); click on the link to read the wording so you can prepare your comments in support. For more information about location or Zoom link, see the City Council agenda here.

Where: Northampton City Council Meeting, hybrid/in-person at City Council Chambers or on Zoom

When: Thursday, February 6 at 6:30 p.m.

For more information about location or Zoom link, see the City Council agenda here.

2. CALL Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll at (617) 725-4005
Ask them to support $10 million for HIP in a supplemental budget.

Sample script: Hello! My name is ____, I live in ____ and I’m calling to ask you to reverse the cut to HIP funding. If implemented, this change will negatively impact the 285 farmers and thousands of low-income households that participate in HIP every month. $20 is not enough to encourage low income households to purchase Massachusetts-grown foods at farmers markets. Reversing this decision ensures food-insecure families access to locally grown fresh produce, boosts our local economy, and supports MA farmers’ markets!

Why is this happening?

HIP funding remains too low—$15 million for 2025 won’t last all year! We need at least $25 million to restore higher benefits and keep the program running.

A supplemental budget could help, but it hasn’t passed yet. We must keep advocating to ensure it does! Stay tuned for ways to take action.