With great pride, the Brookline Department of Public Health and Human Services has announced that the second year of the Brookline Bounty Birds initiative has been successfully completed.
This program, which aims to provide turkeys and other birds to people of the community who are in need prior to Thanksgiving, has been a huge success.
These vouchers can be used to purchase fresh, locally grown and farmed produce, meats, and dairy goods, as well as honey, preserves, and prepared food products.
The Brookline Bounty Birds program is a component of the Brookline Bounty Food Coupon Program, which strives to eliminate food poverty by offering vouchers for these items.
On the basis of the remaining annual money from Brookline Bounty, the organization was able to distribute forty turkeys, thirty chickens, and seventy-five game hens this year.
Through the Brookline Housing Authority, the Brookline Senior Center, the Public Schools of Brookline, and Veterans’ Services, the department of Agriculture collaborated with farmers from Copicut Farms in Dartmouth for a second year in order to give birds to families.
Elizabeth Frary, the owner of the farm, also assisted the department workers in making deliveries on Wednesday, November 20.
Director of the Brookline Department of Public Health & Human Services Sigalle Reiss stated, “Our Brookline Bounty program is more than just food support — it is a reflection of our community’s values, bringing people together to ensure that everyone can access nutritious, high-quality food.”
“This initiative highlights the power of partnership and the shared commitment to take care of one another, especially as the cost of food remains a challenge for many.”
Due to the fact that the Brookline Farmers’ Market closed on November 21st, the Brookline Bounty just came to an end after a successful fourth year.
Between the months of June and November, 732 households were given coupons to spend at the farmers market as part of the food access campaign for families that were qualified for income assistance.
Individuals and families were able to get two deliveries of coupons this season as a result of additional money.
This was an opportunity that was positively accepted by participants, as the cost of food continues to be high for many families. Participant vouchers totaling $67,376 were utilized during the regular season, with the majority of the coupons being used to purchase vegetables, fruits, and proteins.
The success of Brookline Bounty is dependent on the long-standing collaboration that exists between the department and the director and manager of the Brookline Farmers’ Market, Abe Farber and Isabelle Levy, as well as the 23 vendors who participate in the event.
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The core of the Brookline Bounty Food Coupon Program is the dedication of market management and local farmers to establish a community environment that is friendly and offers a variety of fresh and healthful food selections.
In the beginning, the Brookline Bounty program was supported by grants from the Kresge Foundation.
Subsequently, it started receiving funds from the American Rescue and Recovery Act (ARPA). Next spring, the program will get back on track.
