|
Newsbriefs
by Laura Turner
Boston Food Program Goes Citywide
Boston is expanding its Bounty Bucks pilot program to all 14 participating neighborhood farmers’ markets in the city as part of a series of initiatives Mayor Thomas M. Menino has announced to make Boston the “healthiest city with the strongest local food system in America.”
Through the Bounty Bucks program, residents who receive U.S. Department of Agriculture SNAPS benefits (formerly known as food stamps) and who make purchases at any of the markets, will receive a dollar for dollar match for purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables of up to $10 at the markets.
“It is vitally important to provide access to healthy, sustainable food from Massachusetts family farms for city residents at all income levels,” the mayor said. The Bounty Bucks program provides low-income families in need an affordable way to use local farmers’ markets, he added.
A foundation is donating $10,000 as the program expands from the seven markets that participated in last year’s pilot program.
Menino also announced that he is convening a Food Council to bring together community leaders in government, local economic development and urban agriculture to oversee and implement his food system initiatives.
The mayor set a series of benchmarks for the council, including: Boston becoming the first city in America to increase the amount of healthy fruits and vegetables distributed in the city from local sources by 20 percent over the next five years; Boston becoming one of the top five cities in the country for food stamp enrollment of eligible families within the next two years and increasing Food and Agricultural Resources for Metropolitan Boston.
Over the next five years, city officials will work with partners through FARM Boston to increase by 50 percent direct farm-to-city sales of fresh fruits and vegetables by developing new partnerships between farmers’ markets and community supported agriculture restaurants, retail stores, schools and institutions.
The city will work with partners to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables grown in community gardens, larger urban farms and orchards and regional community supported agriculture projects for distribution to Boston residents.
Details: Mayor’s Press Office at (617) 635-4461
Des Moines, Iowa, Reduces Recreation Fees
Des Moines, Iowa, residents whose income has been negatively impacted by the recession are eligible for reduced fees for park and recreation programs and activities.
Residents who indicate that their income has been reduced are asked to complete an anonymous five-question survey and then issued a Fun Pass, explained Parks and Recreation Director Don Tripp.
The pass can be used to buy season memberships at city aquatic centers for half price, and offers like discounts on sports camps and clinics, the youth golf program, watercraft rentals and community center activities.
The department continues to offer free children’s day camp, tennis, disc golf and other programs.
Details: Chief Communications Officer Amelia Hamilton-Morris at (515) 283-4795 or AKMorris@dmgov.org
Irving, Texas, Launches Sharrrows Pilot Program
Irving, Texas, has opened its first shared motor vehicle/bicycle lanes (sharrows) on both sides of Sixth Street. The pilot program will be monitored for safety and to determine acceptance by both motorists and bicyclists.
“Paint-on-pavement sharrows are an immediate means to create bike-friendly roads during this transition period, while the roads are retrofitted for dedicated striped bike lanes,” said Bike Lane Task Force Co-Chair Francesca Funk.
The project is the result of a partnership between the task force, a subcommittee of the city’s Green Advisory Council, and the transportation department.
Details: Transportation Department at (972) 721-2646
|