Northshore Magazine

Northshore March 2020

Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.

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NORTHSHOREMAG.COM 42 MARCH 2020 L I V E + P L AY The Essex Agricultural Society is best known as the organization that runs the Topsfield Fair. However, it is also responsible for connecting farmers with consumers through Northeast Harvest, a Buy Local program representing nearly 400 farms in Essex and Middlesex Counties. There are 10 Buy Local groups organized by the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture throughout the Commonwealth. Together, these groups focus on increasing the local food economy in Massachusetts and spreading awareness about agriculture in our state. "Our mission is to help people discover, enjoy, and support farms and local agriculture in Essex and Middlesex counties," says James O'Brien, executive director, Northeast Harvest. "We provide easy access to information about our local farms and farmers' markets to preserve and expand access to local food in our region." In Essex and Middlesex counties there are 1,261 farms that steward over 50,627 acres of land. Northeast Harvest represents almost 400 of them at farmers' markets throughout the two counties and provides marketing resources the individual farms aren't likely to be able to afford on their own. Michael Marini, third-generation owner of Marini Farm in Ipswich, thinks Northeast Harvest is really positive for farmers and consumers. "It's a great benefit for the entire agriculture community and is definitely driving people to the farm stand," says Marini. One of the Northeast Harvest programs that Marini is particularly excited about is the Healthy Incentives Program, or HIP, which is part of the state's SNAP ( formerly Food Stamp) program. HIP offers extra money to people enrolled in the program to buy locally grown fruits and vegetables exclusively at participating farmers' markets, mobile markets, or farm stands or through community-supported agriculture farm share programs. Participants with six or more household members can get up to $80 each month for fresh fruits and vegetables in addition to their regular monthly benefit. HIP-eligible foods are fresh, canned, and frozen fruits and vegetables without added sugar, salt, fats or oils. For example, onions, pears, broccoli, fresh herbs, canned tomatoes, applesauce, frozen berries, and dried mushrooms are all HIP foods. Food items that do not qualify include vegetable and fruit juices (including apple cider), creamed or sauced vegetables, and dried spices and herbs. Vegetable seeds and starter plants for gardens (e.g., tomato seeds or tomato plants) are also eligible for HIP. "HIP has been very successful in bringing people to our farm stand," says Marini, whose stand offers freshly picked corn and a wide variety of other vegetables grown on its 200 acres. "It has attracted more customers than we expected through Northeast Harvest's promotion of the program." Peter Gibney, owner of Gibney Gardens in Danvers, agrees that HIP has been wonder- ful for both farmers and customers. He also enjoys the educational program that Northeast Harvest offers each year on a variety of topics to keep those in the agriculture industry up to date. "Agricultural-focused educational pro- grams are why the Essex Agricultural Society was formed and what the Topsfield Fair contin- ues to strive to do today," says Gibney, who also is a board member of the Essex Agricultural So- ciety. "Learning best practices from each other and from recognized experts allows us to grow the best possible crops for our customers." James O'Brien is the executive director, Northeast Harvest. PHOTOGRAPH BY ELISE SINAGRA

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