Fall 2023 Newsletter

We are excited to bring an update from Erving, Massachusetts, and the impacts of our Massachusetts Food Trust Program!

Local Owners Bring a Lively Market to an Erving Landmark

If you’ve been on Route 2 in Erving, chances are you’ve seen Flis Market. Located in the 200-year-old building formerly known as the Erving House, the community-based general store serves up house-made grab-and-go lunches and dinners seven days a week, as well as meat and cheese; beer, wine and spirits; and grocery items.

Owners Jon and Liz Flis have invested heavily in the historic building by recently securing a Healthy Food Financing Initiative grant through the U.S.D.A. to improve access to fresh foods in underserved communities. (see photo below). That grant, plus investment from the Mass Food Trust Program (MFTP) has allowed them to purchase three retail coolers, expand the parking lot, and renovate an entire portion of the building where they are installing a new walk-in cooler and building a commercial kitchen. (Continue reading)

Do you know a local food entrepreneur looking to expand? The Mass Food Trust Program could be for them!

Do you know a food business owner who may qualify? Apply now! www.massfoodtrustprogram.org

Since 2019 MFTP has:

• Funded 66 healthy food initiatives across 12 Massachusetts counties

• These businesses hired and maintained employment for more than 1,000 employees, 88% of whom are from the community the enterprise is in, with an average wage of $16 per hour

• Expanded access to healthy, affordable food to 303,000 individuals (91% of the projects accept or will accept SNAP & WIC)

  
  Meet a Mass Food Trust Professional

  Know a healthy food entrepreneur who would like to attend a virtual information session? Sign up here or contact us.