Tri-County gets grant for a food truck, scheduled to roll out in Fall 2023

"Tri-County was awarded a Capital Skills grant for $499,999 for Culinary Arts! TC is the proud new owner of a food truck and with the rest plans to buy a great deal of new equipment. 

Tri-County will hold a competition to name the food truck! Our graphic communications students will compete to come up with the design for the truck. 

The retrofitting is planned to be completed by the fall! 

Get ready TC community here we come to feed you! "

Shared from Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpns9DLyPvh/

Tri-County gets grant for a food truck, scheduled to roll out in Fall 2023

"Best by", "Sell by", "Use by" – Oh my!

"On average, the U.S. wastes an estimated 125 to 160 billion pounds of food each year . And where does it all end up? In a landfill, where it’s buried under mounds of toxic trash and eventually breaks down and emits methane . We bury so much organic waste that landfills are now the third-largest source  of climate-damaging methane emissions in the U.S.

But the environmental impacts of food waste don’t end there. By wasting food, we deplete precious resources, like water. In fact, agriculture in the U.S. accounts for about 80% to 90% of the nation’s water consumption . On top of that, when bad market conditions lead farmers to toss edible food aside or when sold foods go uneaten, all the resources that went into producing those crops are squandered. There’s also a massive economic downside to throwing away uneaten food, adding up to approximately $218 billion a year  in the U.S.

So, how did we start throwing out so much food? Well, several factors play into our increasing wastefulness. Here, we break down the components leading us to toss our food and offer solutions that can help solve our food waste problem."

Continue reading the article online -> https://www.clf.org/blog/why-we-waste-food/

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/CLF/status/1594767748000845833

Several factors play into our increasing wastefulness, but we have solutions to each of these problems. Photo: Shutterstock via CGstrein.

Board Of Health hears from Curry House representatives among the normal monthly Health Dept activities (audio)

FM #872 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 872 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town of Franklin Board of Health Meeting held on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. All three board members were present. All Health Dept staff present were in the 3rd floor training room. 

Representatives from Curry House were present at the start of the meeting and left when their portion of the discussion was completed.

The meeting runs about 45 minutes. Let’s listen to the Board of Health meeting Nov 2, 2022.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-872-franklin-ma-board-of-health-mtg-11-02-22

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Agenda document ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/11-2-22_2.pdf  

My notes collected in a Twitter thread PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1smRk0DIgOilk62lbiyZzHYVY9faPWjE-/view?usp=share_link 

Some background on the reflexology discussion provided by the Franklin Observer -> https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/129652/making-sure-its-just-right-touch-and-nothing-more

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Franklin Dept of Health: Health Care Resources and Services

Franklin Health Tip: September is Food Safety Month

September is Food Safety Month. 

Follow four steps to prevent food poisoning: Clean, Separate, Cook, & Chill. 

Learn more: cdc.gov/foodsafety/education-month.html

Franklin Health Tip:  September is Food Safety Month

The Guardian: "only 15 cents of every dollar we spend in the supermarket goes to farmers"

"A handful of powerful companies control the majority market share of almost 80% of dozens of grocery items bought regularly by ordinary Americans, new analysis reveals.

A joint investigation by the Guardian and Food and Water Watch found that consumer choice is largely an illusion – despite supermarket shelves and fridges brimming with different brands.

In fact, a few powerful transnational companies dominate every link of the food supply chain: from seeds and fertilizers to slaughterhouses and supermarkets to cereals and beers.

The size, power and profits of these mega companies have expanded thanks to political lobbying and weak regulation which enabled a wave of unchecked mergers and acquisitions. This matters because the size and influence of these mega-companies enables them to largely dictate what America’s 2 million farmers grow and how much they are paid, as well as what consumers eat and how much our groceries cost"

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2021/jul/14/food-monopoly-meals-profits-data-investigation

More info about Food and Water Watch -> https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/

consumer choice is largely an illusion

Boston Globe: "Warning of a coming ‘Egg-mageddon,’ Mass. lawmakers move to alter animal welfare ballot measure passed in 2016"

"The cracks started appearing a few years after Massachusetts voters in 2016 approved a ballot initiative that effectively mandated that all eggs sold in the state come from cage-free hens.

The law, backed by nearly 8 of 10 voters, was pushed by top animal welfare groups in order to create what they argued were more humane standards for animals.

Now, warning of an “Egg-mageddon” — a severe egg shortage that would send prices spiking — lawmakers are moving to change the measure before it goes into effect in 2022. The proposal would reduce the floor space requirements for hens housed in facilities where they are able to move vertically, a change supporters argue would bring Massachusetts in line with a standard developed over the last five years. The effort has the support of both the egg industry, which largely opposed the 2016 reforms, and animal welfare groups that spent millions to pass them, including the Humane Society of the United States."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/25/metro/warning-coming-egg-mageddon-lawmakers-move-alter-animal-welfare-ballot-measure-passed-by-huge-majority-voters/

Boston will soon allow ‘retail residential kitchens’ - maybe something Franklin could consider?

"Boston food entrepreneurs will get a boost beginning on Friday, April 30, when a retail residential kitchens ordinance goes into effect. This allows home cooks to prepare shelf-stable foods in their homes for resale at farmers’ markets, online, and through the mail. They can make up to $25,000 per year.

Boston City Councilor at Large Julia Mejia introduced the ordinance after a conversation with Andree Entezari, who had relocated to Boston from Los Angeles, where he ran a fruit leather business from home. He wanted to do the same here.

“This is a way to test products that aren’t cost-prohibitive,” he said. “Working out of your home reduces start-up costs and engages you in your local community. It allows you to meet others in a special way, through food.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/04/27/lifestyle/boost-home-cooks-with-small-business-hopes-boston-will-soon-allow-retail-residential-kitchens/

Recap of Economic Development meeting - Mar 3, 2021 - modification to tasting room bylaw and food trucks approved

Quick Recap:

• Modification to bylaw requirement for up to 25% of the space allowed for the tasting room proposed for removal. Few other communities require such. Approved to bring to Council. Would still require approval process loop through the Planning Board and back to Council before effective
• Discussion on draft of new Franklin Business Guide. Good suggestions made. If you have any, please send to Anne Marie Tracy
• Discussion on proposal to change restrictions on food trucks. Would allow for private parties on private property. For a public event on private property (i.e. a business like Pour Richard's) they could get a permit for it. The current zone for food trucks would remain in place at the Town Common. Plans for them during the summer (assuming COVID protocols allow) for Farmers Market/Concerts on the Common. Approved to bring to Council for further discussion

 

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one album  https://photos.app.goo.gl/PbwWoeJjCLhCyHDY8

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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.
 
The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #edc0303 
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23edc0303&src=typeahead_click 

• Economic development Committee meeting start at 5:45 PM #edc0303  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/edc_agenda_3-3-2021.pdf   Proposal to modify tasting room bylaw, proposal for food trucks modification, and draft of business guide up for review
• Real time reporting underway for the Economic Development meeting #boh0303 link shared earlier Chair Hamblen covers the meeting protocol message, all votes will be via roll call
• First up, the tasting room proposal as modified, changes the current bylaw by removing the % requirement of space for tasting area. Prior meeting had covered details, this is in response to that discussion. #edc0303 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/edc_agenda_3-3-2021.pdf
• #edc0303 Bissanti thinks it is great, anything to help business. Jones, ditto. Frongillo agree most don't have restrictions. Planning Board approved current operations under prior plan, this affects new entities. Existing businesses would have to request a change if they want
• #edc0303 some business also have waivers and would not help existing businesses as they already have an exception, under this they would not comply. Motion to move bylaw amendment proposal to Council for full discussion, second, passes 4-0 via roll call.
• Next up business guide in draft up for review.  #edc0303 up for review, do you find what you need? If not contact Anne Marie Tracy to provide the input - page 5 of the agenda doc  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/edc_agenda_3-3-2021.pdf
• #edc0303 consider colors to differentiate chapters, ensure links are good, doesn't really say where the zoning map is, where is R1, R2, etc. Highlight specific areas, downtown, Clark Cutler, Crossing, etc. A vacant registry? Need a larger conversation on town wide branding
• #edc0303 each business owner would take their own journey to open; my suggestion to develop a flow chart to help with the navigation; maybe having a planning board member at the tech review meeting, also they apparently aren't notified of EDC meetings
• #edc0303 Chair heard also that they went thru the tech review easily and yet runs into difficulty with Planning Board. Tech review is for staff dept heads to provide input, they do line up folks with what was presented. Planning Brd advised not to participate to avoid conflict
• #edc0303 back to business guide: love the idea of a flow chart. Bissanti thinks you need Plng Brd. Moving on to food truck proposal, add a fee for temp food truck event, fact sheet in packet. Page 35 has table of fees with addition of a food truck fee. Mostly internal approval
• No permit needed if private and public not invited, fee yes #edc0303 same for one day license, i.e. Pour Richards for a tasting with a food truck, fee required. Food truck friendly zone around Town Common remains as is. I.e. for events and summer concerts.
• A nonprofit like ArtWeek, etc. could arrange for the Common for their event and get food trucks. There is also a requirement to avoid conflicts with same foods, 500' buffer. Ex. a taco truck couldn't be in the parking lot across from Sante Fe Grille. #edc0303
• Bissanti food trucks have a place in Franklin. #edc0303 Jones fine with this. Frongillo what is the permit process? Hellen hadn't been aware of food trucks operating based here. There are mobile vendor codes to abide by, health safety, Chrissy works on this with the staff
• #edc0303 once familiar with business, they tend to be more of a 'rinse/repeat' and go quickly. Food service permit req'd from BoH for private events. A concern with parking where the food truck would appear in case enforcement is required. We want these to work.
• #edc0303 motion to move to Town Council, second, passes via roll call 4-0 
• Motion to adjourn, second, passes 4-0 via roll call 
• Catch you in a few for Town Council!

modification to tasting room bylaw and food trucks approved

 

Town Council Meeting Recap - Oct 21, 2020

Quick Recap:

• Update by Town Clerk on election processing and four confirmed candidates for Town Council special election on Dec 5
• Update by Police Chief TJ Lynch on identity theft and unemployment claims. Cybercriminals are active especially in this time of uncertainty, please take precautions. If you have been affected please notify the police
• Drought status worsens, we are over 10 inches of rainfall behind normal. THe recent rain events help but are not sufficient to make up the gap that remains
• Committee appointments approved
• Fire Department swore in three new firefighter paramedics (replacing retirements) and Police did two new officers (also replacing retirements) recognizing one of the retirees in the session
• The project analysis on the Beaver St interceptor was presented. This will be the largest public works project outside of a school the town has faced Estimates for three scenarios range from $9 to $25M. Much more to come as this proposal develops, the work does need to be done and done well sooner rather than later.
• Proposal for food trucks and other 3rd parties as an option for the farm license (67 Degrees, La Cantina, etc.) tabled after extensive discussion.

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in the album  https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZQpcAz2ZNSgTUC2XA

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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.
 
The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #tc1021
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23tc1021&src=typed_query

• Getting ready for the Town Council meeting at 7 PM; agenda and connection info in agenda doc here https://franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/october-21-town-council-agenda #tc1021
• Multiple options to watch/listen to meeting; Comcast channel 11 or Verizon channel 29, also live streamed from town of Franklin page https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/live-meetings-stream as well as the Zoom info in doc linked earlier #tc1021 oh, and you can call in via phone as well!
• Real time reporting underway for the Town Council meeting, #tc1021
• Town clerk Nancy Danello updates to #tc1021 2600 early voters this far, another 7500 mail ballots received (12,000 sent out). Mail ballot processing in advance of Nov 3 scheduled and being done per schedule
• Four candidates for special Town Council election on Dec 5 names to be provided later #tc1021 Chief Lunch provides update on unemployment claim filing being investigated and followed by FBI and other resources
• 58,000 fraudulent claims filed as of July and caught at MA unemployment. Victims of identity theft find out after the fact, a second waive targeting Municipal employees Worcester has over 500 #tc1021 238 fraud related claims since march for Franklin alone.
• Watch for unauthorized transactions, watch for pages mimicking official pages esp when asked to provide personal info. Don't give, if they were legit, they already had it #tc1021 call and claim with Franklin police in addition to the credit bureaus, etc.
• DPW Cantoreggi introduce Doug Martin as water supervisor and drought update, down over 11 inches year to date even though we had some rain events. Using less now, a half million gallons more/day (folks are home, not going to work) #tc1021
• #tc1021 additional slides on drought, one slide shows a Worcester reservoir down 80%, the other shows DPW Director Cantoreggi
• Motion to approve minutes, second, passes 8-0 (pending confirmation of those present in room) #tc1021 Appointment to registrar, seconded passes 8-0.https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/gail_karner_1.pdf
• Appointment to Finance Committee https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/fincom_natalie_riley.pdf #tc1021 motion to approve, seconded, passes 8-0
• Catching up with 3 sworn in for fire department. 2 for police dept, and recognition for one retirement for Police. #tc1021 a batch of photos will be added to the website with the meeting notes.
• Fire Department Pinnings: Joshua Impey, Joshua Sables, Kristopher Smith #tc1021 Police Department: i. Pinnings - Jonathan Giron, Nicholas Storelli ii. Retiree - Doug Nix
• Moving to presentation/discussion section on emergency management for power outages #tc1021 Chief McLaughlin back up to provide overview and details on planning and execution during and event work on trees can't be done in wind over 30 mph for safety
• During camera scan of chambers during the pinning ceremony (albeit socially distanced) was able to see all 8 councilors present (1 open spot to be filled with special election Dec 5) #tc1021
• Town budget for trees is for maintenance of town owned property, trees in or interfering with a power line need to be done by nationalGrid. They have a plan and are working the circuits on a cycle to cut them back. #tc1021 northside of town is worse than rest, why?
• Moving to the Beaver St interceptor #tc1021 collects about 70% of the sewerage in town and is over 106 years old. A huge asset but also a liability https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8b._presentation_-_beaver_street_interceptor_.pdf
• It is not known if there is a worse location; a brook on one side, train track on other side, and then the plaza and i495 - has at least been cleaned, manholes rehabbed #tc1021 I&I infiltration and intrusion plan been executed for many years, approx 3M gals/day
• Has reduced the flow where possible, batching flow via a holding tank to avoid peaks, water conservation is good for this, low flow toilet helps sewer flow, #tc1021 as much as we have done, still need to do more and it will cost money
• Hydraulic model show here Cottage St is high end and it flows down along the tracks and then to 140 Franklin Village #tc1021
• Three alternatives not just costed but also benefit analysis added across 8 factors. Alt 3 while expensive is better long term. #tc1021
• Project sized for flows of 2070 so it does have growth built into this. Timing to move to actually save money is to go now, avoids failures sooner finances cheaper now that could be #tc1021 rather than digging 140, they'd do the hole like they used for East Central
• #tc1021 alternative 1 and 2 keeps pipe in and along Mine Brook, if you get a failure on 1 or 2 you'd still need to do alt 3 Q on overflow along Cottage by Franklin Paint did see that in 2010. Alt 2 is effectively the baseline analysis.
• Bissanti doesn't understand how to spend money to go first class with money we don't have. #tc1021 Jamie - financial model and impact to rate payers is not in this presentation, we do need to examine it. It is a question to be answered but we haven't yet
• A 25 year bonded project but it could be paid off earlier. The Charles River assessment has been less because we did work to reduce the outflow to them. That can be a factor. #tc1021
• Subcommittee reports, budget not meeting in Oct. EDC had another listening session on Monday, long lots of feedback, next one in November (Nov 16) #tc1021
• Moving to action items: https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/20-61_food_truck.pdf Authorization for farm series license temporary for on premise food service provided by others. #tc1021. Similar to outdoor dining, expands food truck dining to 67 Degrees, La Cantina and Glen Pharma
• SafeServe certificate could also be an alternative for catering here and other businesses, employee of site would need to be SafeServe certified. #tc1021 when state of emergency goes away, this does too. Glen Pharma has a restaurant may not need to use it
• Board of health would be involved, $100 food vendor permit for a year. #tc1021 questions on how it work. Would also need to look at cater and regulations to see what can be done, folks have left here because the opportunity was elsewhere
• Ice cream truck operations get CORI'd but food truck doesn't per state Legislation. Debate about food trucks vs regular restaurants is hard to quantify, it is a discussion point. What does the Town want to do? #tc1021 let's review other Communities with food truck bylaws
• Would 3 or the Rome be interested in doing it via a food truck? #tc1021 Moonlight Chef owner speaks on business during COVID-19, why are we going to allow food trucks all if sudden, not a good move, reconsider please
• This allows contracting for 3rd party whether restaurants or food trucks. Still issue with SafeServe and who has it. Motion to table res 20-61, seconded, passes 8-0
• https://franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda-items/10b-legislation-action-39 motion to approve, second, passes 8-0
• https://franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda-items/10c-legislation-action-33 motion to refer to planning board, second, passes 8-0
• franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/20-862_longhill_and_pleasant.pdf Motion to move to planning board, second, passes 8-0
• Town administrator report. Gov baker emergency order for outdoor dining extended. 33 active cases of COVID, largest increase since June. Firefighter memorial this Sunday at station #tc1021
• The Town does not regulate Halloween. Schools are moving ahead with plan. #tc1021 white dots are on grass for demarcation. "Some of the worse advice I ever got was from legal counsel" need answers on the $522K, there could have been another way to do the grass
• #tc1021 "this too will pass" thanks to both chiefs for bringing the pinning forward tonight, it has been awhile and good to do. We have to listen to our legal experts, we will bring something forward. Add the additional handicap spots right in the roadway
• #tc1021 looking like we're going for a high turnout voting. Motion to adjourn, passed 8-0 So that does it for me tonight catch you next time 

 

Town Clerk Nancy Danello provides an update to the Council meeting

Bridget Sweet on food safety and COVID-19 (audio)

Bridget Sweet. Chair of the Franklin Board of Health, recently did a culinary podcast regarding food safety and COVID-19.  This may be helpful to dispel some of the concerns about eating out. In the course of the discussion, they also gave a local business a shout out; Santa Fe Burrito Grill.

Jaime and Matt look for answers to their coronavirus related questions by connecting with Bridget Sweet, Exec. Director of Food Safety, at Johnson & Wales University. Their conversations tackle best practices as they relate to food delivery, take out and in store shopping.

Listen to Bridget here
http://culinarynowpodcast.buzzsprout.com/731372/3292906-bridget-sweet

Bridget Sweet on food safety and COVID-19 (audio)

 

St. Vincent de Paul Freedom from Food Hunger Drive

Once again the St. Mary's Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is excited to announce its 7th annual Freedom From Hunger Food Drive on the weekend of June 24th and 25th. 

In order to receive a variety of nonperishable items we are requesting the following items; whole grain crackers, cereal, spaghetti sauce and pasta, peanut butter and jelly, individual containers of Jell-O/fruit/pudding, all paper products, detergent, canned fruit, fruit juice, and applesauce.

All items may be dropped off in the Sacred Heart Hall, (lower level of St. Mary's church or at any of the doors of the church throughout the weekend of June 24th and 25th.

Having breakfast food, healthy snacks, fruit juice and nutritious meals can help people face the day with a positive attitude. Your donations make this possible. Thank you all for your help and support.

St. Vincent de Paul Freedom from Food Hunger Drive

The Kids Count Data Center is a resource for you

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Kids Count Data Center is a Resource  Everyone engaged in public policy debates about improving the lives of children in Massachusetts needs trusted data that can inform analysis of challenges and potential solutions. With so many different tools and resources, it can be hard to find trusted information. That's why we want to make sure our readers know about the Annie E. Casey Foundation's KIDS COUNT Data Center. It contains thousands of child well-being indicators related to education, poverty, health and youth risk factors. By being able to filter by state, city, county and congressional district, users are able to access data that is relevant in their communities and comparable to other places. As part of the KIDS COUNT network, MassBudget manages this national data resource in Massachusetts and incorporates additional local data. To give an example, the state's Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) improves the economic security of working families. The EITC raises the after-tax incomes of over 400,000 low-wage workers and their families, 13 percent of all tax filers in Massachusetts. Those who benefit are mostly working parents. It also helps a smaller number of other low-wage workers. The KIDS COUNT Data Center makes it easy to see how many tax filers benefit from the EITC in each city and town in the Commonwealth. With a few clicks, you can also map the share of filers that received the EITC across the state. If you haven't done so lately, visit the KIDS COUNT Data Center today and see what it has to offer. You can also Tweet about it, and like it on FaceBook. Visit the KIDS COUNT Data Center here (LINK). The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108 Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

I queried the Kids Count Data to see what the reduced lunch price data looked like for Franklin and the neighboring communities. It was easy to do. You can add other school districts to this table or query other types of data.

• The table view of the data

Kids Count Data for local reduced lunch price data - table

• The line chart view of the data

Kids Count Data for local reduced lunch price data - line chart

Summer Food Service Program Kicks Off in Milford

A collaborative project with the Milford Area Humanitarian Coalition,

the Milford Public Schools Food Services and the Hockomock Area YMCA

The Milford Area Humanitarian Coalition is presenting the Milford Summer Food Service Program, sponsored by the Hockomock Area YMCA in collaboration with the Milford Public Schools Food Services team. The program begins on Thursday, June 23rd and will end on Tuesday, August 30th.

The program is being offered at three locations in Milford, MA including Memorial Elementary School located at 12 Walnut Street; The Milford Youth Center located at 24 Pearl Street; and the Trinity Episcopal Church located at 17 Congress Street.

The Summer Food Service Program in Milford will be serving nutritious lunches for all children who would like to participate (ages 18 and under) Monday through Friday between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Participants must remain onsite while eating and enjoying the meal. Each site will also offer fun, interactive activities after the lunch each weekday. This program is free and open to all. No advanced sign-up or paperwork required. In addition to the free lunch, an afternoon snack is available at the Milford Youth Center from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. each week day.

“We are proud that our Y is a place where community comes together to make a difference when we engage in initiatives like the Milford Summer Food Service Program,” said Ed Hurley, president of the Hockomock Area YMCA. “Our partnership with the Milford Area Humanitarian Coalition and the Milford Public Schools will positively impact hundreds of Milford children and families. Collectively we are working to ensure that more kids have the nourishment they need to grow and thrive this summer.”

A pilot program was launched last summer in Milford by the Milford Area Humanitarian Coalition (MAHC). The program served 2,200 meals to children over the course of the summer. "Last summer’s lunch program was a huge success. We used private funding to test out the pilot program. The good news is that every child who comes to one of the three lunch sites will be fed each week day this summer. We anticipate 300 to 500 kids a day. The bad news is that there are over 1,400 children in the Milford school system who depend on the school for their meals (reduced price and free) over the course of the school year. Let’s make sure that no child goes to bed hungry this summer,” said Rev. William MacDonald Murray, who is also the rector at Trinity Episcopal Church and leads the Milford Area Humanitarian Coalition.

Kevin McIntyre, incoming Superintendent of Milford Public Schools said, "We are very excited to partner with the Milford Area Humanitarian Coalition and the Hockomock Area YMCA for the Summer Food Service Program. This supports a clear need in the community and will provide meals to our students throughout the summer. I look forward to this being an annual partnership because of the vital need this fills when school is out of session."

For more information or to be a program volunteer, email mealprograms@hockymca.org. Information can also be found on Facebook (Milford Summer Food Service Program) and Twitter (@Milford_SFSP). As well as on the website: hockymca.org.

Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or ability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.

Thank you to the following sponsors who have supported this program with grants or donations of over $250 dollars: The Walmart Foundation, The Episcopal Churches of Central and Western Massachusetts, The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, CHNA 6, Project Bread, Unibank, Bright Insurance, Trinity Episcopal Church, First Congregational Church, Milford Federal Saving and Loan, Milford National Bank and Trust, Partners by Design, Commission on Disability, Imperial Ford, Law Offices of Michael M. Kaplan P.C., Harold and Marcia Rhodes, and the Milford Rotary Club.

Milford Summer Food Service Program, sponsored by the Hockomock Area YMCA

Halloween safety tips and the Teal Pumpkin Project

1 - Halloween safety tips

From the MA.gov blog we find this timely post on Halloween safety tips. Be safe trick or treating!

"Whether you’re still a trick-or-treater or you never lost your love of ghouls and goblins, Halloween is frightful fun for everyone. 

But even if you aren’t afraid of the dark, with more people out in the moonlight, there can be a scary side to this holiday. Watch out for dangers as you celebrate this year. 

The Department of Public Health (DPH), Department of Fire Services (DFS), and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provide resources to ensure you have a safe and happy Halloween. Check out the tips below and for a full list, read DFS’s Halloween Safety and DPH’s Halloween Safety Tips brochures."

Continue reading the article online here
http://blog.mass.gov/blog/home/halloween-safety-tips-for-trick-or-treaters-and-adults/

one of the several "Pumpkins in the Park" - in Franklin

2 - What is the Teal Pumpkin Project?

"Join FARE’s Teal Pumpkin Project™ to help us create a safer, happier Halloween for all! 

Launched as a national campaign by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) in 2014, the Teal Pumpkin Project™ raises awareness of food allergies and promotes inclusion of all trick-or-treaters throughout the Halloween season."

Teal Pumpkin Project

For more information on the Teal Pumpkin project visit them online

http://www.foodallergy.org/teal-pumpkin-project#.VjSjr7erTIU

GBFB presented the Franklin Food Pantry with a $10,000 capacity grant

Shopping local has its rewards. The Franklin Food Pantry buys fresh produce from two local farms (Akin-Bak Farm and Hoffman Farm). As a reward the Greater Boston Food Bank has awarded the Food Pantry a $10,000 grant.

Franklin Food Pantry, located in the Rockland Trust
parking lot in downtown Franklin

GBFB presented the Franklin Food Pantry with a $10,000 capacity grant that will help them increase families' access to the most nutritional foods! 

Specifically, the grant will fund equipment needs for their mobile pantry, food transportation, and their Healthy Futures Market, which offers fresh produce weekly from June to October from nearby Hoffmann Farm and Akin Bak Farm, LLC.

GBFB presenting the check to Erin Lynch

You can contribute to the Greater Boston Food Bank via their webpage
http://www.gbfb.org/


You can contribute and find more about the Franklin Food Pantry via their webpage  http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/

Food Revolution Petition Update

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Hello Food Revolutionary! We have some exciting news to share with you. As a signatory of Jamie Oliver's first Food Revolution petition, we wanted to reach out and update you on this petition and Food Revolution Day 2015. AN INCREDIBLE 812,000 of you signed the 2010/11 petition to stand up for our united belief that kids need better food at school and better health prospects - THANK YOU! We're so grateful for your support, and delighted you all agree action needs to be taken. YOU HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE. With your support, this uprising led to a truly global movement, with the launch of Food Revolution Day in 2012. The same year the Ambassador Programme was also launched -  a growing group of thousands of passionate volunteers in over 100 countries. It has also grown an active, empowered and noisy community online and put pressure on leaders who can help us create positive change and begin to reverse the obesity epidemic through improved food education, food quality and security. While the Food Revolution has continued to grow, we've still got work to do. With 42 million children across the world under the age of five either overweight or obese, the next generation will live shorter lives than their parents if nothing is done to rectify these alarming statistics. That's why for this Food Revolution Day Jamie has launched a global petition calling on leaders and governments of the G20 to make practical food education compulsory at school. It's essential that we arm future generations with the life skills they urgently need in order to lead healthier, happier, more productive lives and we passionately believe that it is every child's human right. Food education will make a difference to the lives of the next generation. So please continue your support by signing this petition and sharing change.org/jamieoliver on facebook and twitter to help spread the word, we can't do it without you. SIGN JAMIE'S FOOD REVOLUTION DAY PETITION We've already gathered an amazing 600,000 signatures from over 160 countries, but to create a movement powerful enough to force all G20 governments to take action, we need to get to millions! Thank you very much for your support. @FoodRev | Facebook Food Revolution Community     Share your images and stories with us! #FoodRevolutionDay