僑聲音樂劇社迎新春演折子戲 預定6/6再粉墨登場

僑聲音樂劇社演員和工作人員合影。（李忠庭提供）

          （Boston Orange周菊子波士頓報導）僑聲音樂劇社2月7日下午在昆士高中禮堂，邀得紐約唱將共襄盛舉，再次粉墨登場的演出4段折子戲，3段唱曲，慶祝馬年新春。這天儘管天公不作美，戶外飄雪，氣溫超低，仍有包括好幾名“老外”的逾百觀眾趕來看戲，讓工作人員備感窩心。

波士頓市議員Ed flynn送表揚狀，僑聲音樂社社長黃國威（左二），李伍碧香（右三）
和司儀李盧蓮馨、以及梁永基、昆士高中校長張可仁同台共慶。（周菊子攝）

僑聲音樂劇社社長黃國威（右）和李伍碧香（左）。（周菊子攝）

         僑聲音樂劇社的2名社長黃國威和李伍碧香表示，該社籌辦演出，既是讓社員們過過癮，在正式場地中，有完整樂隊伴奏，有化妝師上妝的登台演出，更是為社區服務，給街巷鄰里的居民及僑胞們一場聲色俱豐的娛樂。他們強調，籌辦一場這樣的半正式演出，很不容易，尤其是折子戲部分粉墨登場，光是化妝，準備服飾，頭簪，以及舞台佈置，戲曲字幕就煞費工夫，幸虧該社全體同仁戮力匡助，這才能順利演出。儘管大波士頓這天氣候不佳，以至出席率和預期差距頗大，但居然仍有逾百人到場觀看，讓人十分欣慰。

         波士頓市議員愛德華費連(Ed Flynn)這天專程出席，在司儀李盧蓮馨介紹中送上一份表揚狀，稱許僑聲音樂社照顧鄉里，傳承文化。昆士高中校長張可仁也特地到場，歡迎僑聲音樂劇社第2次借用該校場地演出，為該校有機會服務社區感到榮幸。

李伍碧香（又）和里盧蓮馨（左）合作無間。（周菊子攝）

         僑聲音樂劇社這天安排的演出，演員都是人們熟悉的，紐約唱家班伍國榮、靚筱聲，以及波士頓本地的雷玉霞、梁雁英、陳艷珠、黃綺玲、黃寶娥、陳秀娥、陳素瑜等人。

         演出劇目，唱曲部分有《拾釵緣》、《隋宮十載菱花夢》、《碧海狂僧》，折子戲有《血濺未央宫》、《大鬧廣昌隆》之客店訴怨、《潞安州》、《七月七日長生殿》。

陳艷珠（左）演出唱曲「拾釵緣」。（周菊子攝）

陳秀娥（又）和靚筱聲（左）演出折子戲「血濺未央宮」。（周菊子攝）

         這些曲目，既有源自蔣防《葉小玉傳》的中國經典愛情故事，也有取材自劉邦建立漢朝，韓信功高震主，被呂后殺害; 隋朝開國時樂昌公主和駙馬徐德言的破鏡重圓，情義兩難，唐玄宗與楊貴妃耽溺於個人情愛，罔顧國家命運等的歷史題材，還有頌揚南宋抗金名將陸登忠臣烈士氣節的民間故事，清末廣州的厲鬼復仇靈異故事等，讓人既得以欣賞粵曲，粵劇唱腔，古裝戲服的精緻，還有機會回味一下中國傳統文學領域中的種種故事。

         僑聲音樂劇社今年還有一場大演出，預定為6月6 在愛默生學院（Emerson）的派拉蒙中心，演出一場完整粵劇「帝女花」。

樂師們現場伴奏。（周菊子攝）

樂師們現場伴奏。（周菊子攝）

現場有多名“老外”觀眾。（周菊子攝）

黃國威（前左起）、陳晶年、黃紹培（右）在會場外招呼入場觀眾。（周菊子攝）

陳秀娥（又）和靚筱聲（左）演出折子戲「血濺未央宮」。（周菊子攝）

有逾百觀眾出席捧場。（周菊子攝）

波士頓市議員Ed Flynn出席為僑聲音樂社打氣。（周菊子攝）

梁雁英是僑聲音樂劇社資深社員，這天飾伍小鵬，唱「碧海狂僧」。（周菊子攝）

昆士高中校長張可仁歡迎社區使用該校美麗校舍。（周菊子攝）

MAYOR MICHELLE WU CELEBRATES DEDICATION OF TWELFTH BAPTIST CHURCH SQUARE, UNVEILS HISTORIC MARKER TO HONOR RENOWNED ROXBURY CHURCH

MAYOR MICHELLE WU CELEBRATES DEDICATION OF TWELFTH BAPTIST CHURCH SQUARE, UNVEILS HISTORIC MARKER TO HONOR RENOWNED ROXBURY CHURCH

BOSTON – Monday, February 9, 2026 – Yesterday, Mayor Michelle Wu joined community members to unveil the honorary street sign for the renaming of Twelfth Baptist Church Square, as well as a new historic marker honoring the transformative impact the Roxbury church has had since it was established in 1840. Twelfth Baptist Church is a center for spiritual life, education and justice for generations of Black Bostonians. This historical church has served as an anchor for prominent African American civil rights activists and faith-leaders including Rev. Leonard Grimes, Rev. George Washington Williams, Reverend Dr. Michael E. Haynes, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, and Rev. Dr. Arthur T. Gerald, Jr. Twelfth Baptist Church is a place of connection.  The Mayor announced a partnership between Boston 250 and Everyone250, a coalition of more than 100 partners across Boston’s arts and cultural landscape, to place 20 new markers throughout Boston marking the semiquincentennial. Yesterday’s multifaceted event showcased the enduring legacy of Twelfth Baptist Church and highlighted how the city and core partners are enhancing the ways history is memorialized in Boston. “Twelfth Baptist Church not only serves as a spiritual home, but a historic pillar in our community that continues to steward and safeguard our community,” said Mayor Michelle Wu.  “In partnership with Boston 250 and Everyone250, we’re honored to commemorate the ongoing history making of Twelfth Baptist Church with this Everyone250 marker.” "This moment is about naming sacred ground and telling the truth in a country that has too often attempted to erase Black presence, Black faith, and Black struggle," said Rev. Dr. Willie Bodrick, II, Senior Pastor of Twelfth Baptist Church. "At a time when erasure is being normalized, we are standing firmly to declare: we shall not be moved. The former Warren Square, named for Joseph Warren, reflects the contradictions of a revolutionary era that proclaimed liberty while remaining entangled with slavery. The naming of Twelfth Baptist Church Square, by contrast, bears witness to the Underground Railroad, to liberation, and to a faith that refused to make peace with injustice. You cannot tell the story of Boston and this nation—its freedom, its moral imagination, or its courage—without telling the story of Twelfth Baptist Church. The dedication of this square in the 100th year of the celebration of Black History Month and the unveiling of the Everyone250 Marker affirm that Black faith, Black leadership, and Black resistance are not footnotes, but foundational to the story we tell about ourselves and generations to come." The newly unveiled marker at Twelfth Baptist Church states: “Twelfth Baptist Church traces its origins to 1805 as the First African Baptist Church of Boston at the African Meeting House. In 1840, amid division, this congregation reestablished itself embodying Boston’s Black freedom struggle. Under Rev. Leonard Grimes the church became known as “The Fugitive Slave Church,” a station on the Underground Railroad, and a force for abolition. Throughout its history, it remained a center for spiritual life, education, and justice. Twelfth Baptist is also where young Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. served alongside Rev. Michael Haynes. Today, Twelfth Baptist advances equity and community empowerment rooted in faith and liberation.” “​Twelfth Baptist Church and its leaders have been known for being bold, unafraid, and willing to speak truth to power​,” said Will Dickerson, Senior Advisor & Head of Faith-based Initiatives. “The impact of Twelfth Baptist extends throughout Roxbury and the surrounding areas. Many of Boston’s Black educators, doctors, lawyers, and community activists call Twelfth Baptist Church home​. That is a testament to the church’s lasting role in shaping leaders and strengthening the community.” One of Boston 250’s core initiatives is the installation of physical markers that highlight underrepresented stories of Boston’s history, accompanied by an interactive digital map and guide. In Boston, Everyone250 has already unveiled markers at Kings Chapel and Union Church, and now the marker at Twelfth Baptist Church in reverence of Black History Month. Everyone250 will round out the 100th anniversary of Black History Month with one more unveiling at United South End Settlements on February 27. Additional Everyone250 unveilings are planned throughout the spring and summer. With America’s 250th anniversary as the catalyzing event, the partnership marks the beginning of a broader, long-term citywide effort to reimagine the way Boston tells and memorializes stories and history in the city.  “With Everyone250, we are reshaping Boston’s historical narrative so it reflects everyone who shaped it - especially at a time when too many Black and Brown stories are being challenged or erased throughout the country,” said Imari Paris Jeffries, Ph.D., President and CEO of Embrace Boston and Co-Chair of Everyone250. “As we come together to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, this work is more urgent than we can imagine. Everyone250 launched last summer with a life-size bronze sculpture of W.E.B. Du Bois in Great Barrington as the very first marker, and today’s dedication at Twelfth Baptist Church carries that momentum forward. Through our partnership with Boston250, we are bringing more stories into the public square so more people can see themselves in Boston’s history, not just for the 250th, but for those who will lead after us.” About Everyone250 Led by a coalition of over 100 partners in Boston’s arts and culture sector, including co-chairs A Beautiful Resistance, Embrace Boston, MassArt, Mass Humanities and Mathmatik Athletics, Everyone250 is redefining what it means to belong in Boston. Through storytelling, cultural celebration, and honest reflection, we shine a light on the untold histories and unsung heroes who have shaped our city over the past 250 years—ensuring every voice is heard and every person is seen. Learn more about  Everyone250 here. About Boston 250 Boston 250 is a yearlong commemoration of Boston's role in the American Revolution and the legacy of activism and innovation that is woven throughout the history of the city and its people. As the world comes to Boston for the Summer of 2026, Boston 250 is working with state and local partners to shape a new, more inclusive experience of Boston’s revolutionary past and present for residents and tourists. Learn more about Boston 250 here.

雷洪任、鄺滿雄、雷昌凡當選紐英崙遡源2026主席 鄺元傑、雷展灝晉級全美永遠顧問

紐英崙遡源公所主席交接。左起鄺元傑，雷展灝，雷洪任、雷昌凡，
鄺國添，雷國輝。（周菊子攝）

 （Boston Orange周菊子波士頓報導）紐英崙遡源公所2月8日午，在波士頓華埠哈佛街會所，舉行乙已年年祭祖暨主席團交接儀式，敬告祖先，雷洪任、鄺滿雄，雷昌凡等3名新人上任主席，鄺元傑、雷展灝獲選為全美永遠顧問。

紐英崙遡源公所新任主席雷洪任（左）、雷昌凡（右）。（周菊子攝）

                  2026年2月8日這天，氣溫超低，波士頓市甚至發出了「緊急風雪警告」，數十名遡源宗親為了這個大日子，依舊絡繹趕到會所，熱情相挺，恭喜新屆主席上任。

                  祭祖儀式由顧問鄺元傑主持，宗親就位，向祖先向行三鞠躬禮，上香，敬酒，奉銀寶，獻三牲之後，請已擔任全美顧問多年的鄺國添、雷國輝監交印信，歡迎新任主席雷洪任，雷昌凡，以及當天因故未能出席的鄺滿雄接任主席。

雷國輝（左一）、鄺國添（右二）恭喜鄺元傑（左二）、雷展灝（右一）晉級
全美遡源總堂永遠顧問。（周菊子攝）

                  紐英崙遡源公所是一個由雷、方、鄺三姓宗親組成的姓氏宗親會，源頭可追溯到清朝道光二十六年（1846年），廣東開平水口鎮創辦的「溯源家塾」，門聯寫著「源同一脈，衍以三宗」。

            美國的遡源公所則是1880年，先有三姓宗親在舊金山（大埠）成立「原宗公所」，再在1886年，於舊金山正式成立全美遡源總堂（Soo Yuen Benevolent Association Headquarters）。1926年起發行「遡源月刊」，如今在全美11個地點設有分堂。

紐英崙遡源公所在1983年之前，就已存在，但一度中斷，1983年在必珠街租地復會，1988年在全美8個分會的253名宗親資助，以18

左起，鄺國添，雷展灝，雷昌凡，雷國輝，雷洪任，鄺元傑，鄺炎彬等人
都是遡源公所的核心幹部。（周菊子攝）

萬餘元，買下波士頓哈佛街61號一棟3層樓房，作為會址後，才正式向政府登記註冊為非牟利組織，但在紐英崙中華公所的1950到1970年代會議記錄中，遡源公所已經以宗親會名義運作，並派代表出席中華公所會議了。

雷洪任（右三），雷昌凡（右二）2名新任遡源主席切金豬祭祖。（周菊子攝）

                  2月8日這天為紐英崙遡源公所又一次選賢與能，選出3名全新主席後舉辦交接儀式。正主席雷洪任年僅51歲，平日在布萊頓（Brighton）那兒的2 Life Community做水電木工維修，週末和兄長雷洪活一起打理溫莎糕餅店和溫莎點心樓，鄺滿雄也是中生代，本身是攝影師，和妻子在南街開設有蘭州拉麵店，雷昌凡則是1980年代來美，從遡源公所在哈佛街購置會址後，就參與會務，只是以往在新罕布夏州從事餐飲業，無暇多顧，近年退休，這才應邀出任主席。他那在銀行工作的夫人宋秀貞，這天還特地親手做了糯米糍犒勞宗親。

遡源宗親們一起上香，拜祭祖先。（周菊子攝）

                  紐英崙遡源公所在馬年新春即將到來之際，還傳出另一喜訊，2名卸任主席鄺元傑和雷展灝都獲美國遡源總堂審核通過，成為4個分堂所推薦的7名永遠顧問之一。由於紐英崙遡源公所的雷國輝、鄺國添已是全美永遠顧問，雷展灝的晉級，也締造了全美遡源總堂出現第一對父子檔永遠顧問的紀錄。

              紐英崙遡源公所的2026年職員有全美顧問：雷國輝、雷展灝、鄺國添、鄺元傑

，

遡源宗親們排排坐，聽致詞。（周菊子攝）

元老：雷月華、鄺植桑、鄺卓謀，法律顧問：雷偉志、鄺冠文，主席：雷洪任、鄺滿雄、雷昌凡，中文書記：鄺漢強、雷永壯、鄺國彬，英文書記：鄺劍峰、方柳君、鄺美寶，财政：雷愛蓮、鄺春燕、雷洪活，核數：鄺貴平、方麗珍、鄺振良，樓業管理：雷國輝、雷昌凡、雷洪任、鄺國添、雷展灝、鄺炎彬，出席中華公所代表：鄺元傑。

         紐英崙遡源公所還設有互助基金和獎學金小組。

全美遡源總堂永遠顧問之一的鄺國添率先致詞。（周菊子攝）

雷國輝（左）、雷展灝是全美遡源總堂第一對父子檔永遠顧問。（周菊子攝）

鄺春燕（又）笑說主席夫人宋秀貞（左）做的糯米糍那麼好吃，當然要推廣一下。
（周菊子攝）

鄺春燕（左）笑說自己當然要傳承父親鄺元傑（右）熱心服務鄉親的美德。（周菊子攝）

鄺國添、雷國輝、鄺炎彬都已在遡源公所服務多年。（周菊子攝）

溯源公所的女性宗親們打點吃食。（周菊子攝）

儀式後的茶點準備得差不多後，遡源婦女宗親們坐下歇會兒。（周菊子攝）

中華表演藝術基金會邀小提琴家寧峰2/28演出「終極無伴奏」

寧峰。（中華表演藝術基金會提供）

          （Boston Orange）享譽國際的小提琴家寧峰（Ning Feng），將於2月28日（週六）晚8點，重回新英格蘭學院喬丹廳，為中華表演藝術基金會第37屆音樂季的第3場音樂會，以「終極無伴奏（The Ultimate Solo Violin）」為主題，獨奏巴赫、伊薩伊和帕格尼尼作品。

寧峰這晚將使用飛躍演奏香港公司所提供的的1710年斯特拉迪瓦里 (Stradivari) 小提琴Vieuxtemps Hauser，配上維也納 Thomastik-Infeld 提供的琴弦演奏。

目前定居柏林的寧峰，在中國成都出生，曾就讀四川音樂學院附中，以及柏林和斯.艾斯勒音樂學院和英國皇家音樂學院。他從英國皇家音樂學院畢業時，在有著將近200年歷史的這音樂學院中，締造了畢業獨奏會贏得滿分第一人的傲人紀錄。

國際音樂界對他的評價是，音樂中飽含抒情感，深刻音樂性，彈奏出的音色給人絲綢般質感，琴聲既柔和細膩，又張力十足，演奏技巧令人嘆服，。

寧峰曾在許多國際音樂賽事中獲獎，包括漢諾威國際小提琴比賽、伊莉莎白女皇國際小提琴比賽和耶胡迪•梅紐因國際小提琴比賽等重要賽事。2005年，寧峰獲得麥克•希爾國際小提琴比賽（紐西蘭）中第一名，2006年再在小提琴領域的最為人推崇的帕格尼尼國際小提琴比賽贏得冠軍。

            目前定居柏林的寧峰，巡迴世界各地和著名的交響樂團及指揮家合作演出，例如柏林音樂廳管弦樂團, 洛杉磯愛樂, BBC 愛樂,英國皇家愛樂、中國愛樂、上海交響樂團,美國國家交響樂團, 阿姆斯特丹小交響樂團等等。他也在科隆愛樂大廳、倫敦巴比肯藝術中心等重要場館為室內樂音樂會演奏。

在巴赫無伴奏小提琴奏鳴曲與組曲問世300週年的2020年，寧峰應邀到香港藝術節及其他城市，做了一系列的巴赫無伴奏小提琴奏鳴曲與組曲音樂會演出。荷蘭 Channel Classics 唱片公司也為寧峰錄製了多張備受好評的唱片，寧峰在2021年1月發佈的專輯《Paganini Caprices 24+1》，也收錄了著名的帕格尼尼24首無伴奏隨想曲。

寧峰的過往演奏，贏得許多好評，包括(Gramophone) 雜誌評論「寧峰的樂感與演奏技巧讓眾多小提琴家為之折服，而更重要的是，他的音樂演繹讓人愉悅」。著名弦樂雜誌「Strad」將寧峰的唱片標註為「推薦唱片」。唱片公司為寧峰發行的巴赫《小提琴無伴奏奏鳴曲與組曲》唱片被英國著名的《留聲機》Gramophone 雜誌稱讚為「與眾不同的錄音，是一場充滿了想像力的音樂對話，觀眾也深深為之吸引」。

2 月 28 日晚，寧峰將演出的曲目包括：巴赫：D小调第二号帕蒂塔，BWV 1004，伊萨伊：A小调第二号奏鸣曲，作品27，以及E大调第六号奏鸣曲，作品27，帕格尼尼：24首小提琴随想曲，作品1（选段）。

音樂會票價為 $20 (7- 13 歲)、$40、$60。提供14歲以上學生免費票，及非學生贈送卷。需事前預訂。6歲以下兒童請勿入場。詳情請在中華表演藝術基金會的官網查詢.https://www.chineseperformingarts.net/contents/season/20260228/index.html

線上售票2月28日下午3時將關閉。現場沒有免費票贈送。門票為10美元，僅限現金支付。

波士頓市長宣布2月7-9日波士頓進入「寒冷緊急情況」 麻州長也發通告籲民眾注意保暖及出行安全

                   （Boston Orange綜合編譯） 國家氣象局（National Weather Service）波士頓辦公室2月6日傍晚發出大雪及極端寒冷警告。麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）發出通告，提醒民眾注意。波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu）宣佈波士頓2月7日至9日進入「寒冷緊急情況（Cold Emergency）」。

國家氣象局發出的「冬季天氣警告」，稱麻州大部分地區將降雪2到4寸，包括Cape Ann的Essex郡，積雪可能高達8寸。

            下雪最嚴重的期間，估計在星期六近午時分到下午。將雪之後，從星期六晚上到星期天，氣溫將驟降至危險程度，加上風冷因素，可能會降至零下10度到零下30度。

            麻州州長奚莉指出，星期天是「超級碗（super Bowl）」比賽的日子，請出門看球的民眾，路上格外小心。抽出時間來查看四周鄰居是不是每個人都很暖和安全。

            麻州副州長Kim Driscoll也說，本地人對天氣冷都不陌生，但是在這種北極式的氣溫中，大家應該小心避免在這種氣溫中待長過30分鐘，以免發生體溫過低和凍傷清況。

            波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu）指出，國家氣象局預測波士頓地區週日早上的氣溫，加上風冷因素，可能降至零下15度，比市府規定的氣溫降至零下10度時就可宣佈寒冷緊急狀況還低，波士頓市府鼓勵人們採取所有措施保暖，注意安全，照顧鄰居。市府團隊將持續運作，以確保波士頓居民可以取得所需資源。

            吳弭市長提醒民眾，如果看到任何流浪漢在寒冷中徘徊，請撥打911電話求援。波士頓市的青少年及家庭中心（BCYF）也將全面開放，在正常營運時間中供民眾取暖。

https://www.bostonorange.com/2026/02/mayor-wu-declares-cold-emergency-as.html

https://www.bostonorange.com/2026/02/governor-healey-urges-preparedness.html

FY27 YouthReach Grants Now Available

FY27 YouthReach Grants Now Available

BOSTON – Applications are now being accepted to Mass Cultural Council’s YouthReach FY27 grant round.

This funding opportunity provides multi-year grants to Creative Youth Development (CYD) programs that integrate substantive arts, humanities, and science opportunities into a collaborative community response to the needs of youth. Grant amounts will be tiered, and the anticipated minimum award for FY27 is $20,000.

As the Commonwealth’s independent state arts agency, Mass Cultural Council is charged with bolstering the cultural sector, thereby advancing economic vitality, supporting transformational change, and celebrating, preserving, and inspiring creativity across all Massachusetts communities.
 
Organizations, schools, and government entities that have operated a CYD program for at least six months between 2024 and 2026 are encouraged to apply. CYD programs are committed to supporting young people’s stories, ideas, and dreams through creative expression and honoring their lived experience. They create environments that center racial equity and social justice, youth voices, and collective action.
 
Key dates for the FY27 YouthReach program include:

· Application opens – February 5, 2026

· Info Session – February 12, 2026

o   ASL interpretation and live captions will be provided

· Applications due – April 2, 2026

Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the program guidelines for more information, including eligibility rules and instructions on how to apply.
 
For information and to stay up to date on other Mass Cultural Council funding opportunities this fiscal year, prospective applicants are encouraged to follow the Agency on social media - @MassCultural – or sign up to receive the monthly Power of Culture e-newsletter.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates $1.2 Million in Grants that Expand Access to Healthy, Local Food in Schools and Child Care Centers

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates $1.2 Million in Grants that Expand Access to Healthy, Local Food in Schools and Child Care Centers  

Officials visit Watertown schools to see a “freight farm” and other
gardening initiatives supported by FRESH grants

WATERTOWN — Members of the Healey-Driscoll Administration today visited Watertown Public Schools to celebrate $1.2 million in grants and see examples of investments in access to locally grown food for children. In December, the administration announced $1.2 million in state- and federally-funded grants to 24 school districts and 10 early education and care programs to help them grow or procure local food and educate students, teachers, school nutrition professionals and staff about the local food system. 

As part of today’s visit, officials saw Watertown High School’s Freight Farm, a 40-foot shipping container outfitted to grow food year-round, providing food for cafeterias in Watertown’s five school buildings. The farm produces about 1,000 heads of lettuce per week, helping to feed both students in Watertown’s school cafeterias, as well as families in need in Watertown through donations to the Watertown Community Fridge, a shared food resource at the Watertown Free Public Library. Officials also visited the J.R. Lowell Elementary School, which has an outdoor school garden during the growing season. 

 

“Every student in Massachusetts deserves access to healthy, nutritious school meals,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our administration has made significant investments to ensure students can rely on school meals every day, and through programs like MA FRESH, we’re a deepening that commitment by connecting classrooms to local farms, strengthening our food system, and helping kids build healthy habits for life.” 

 

“At a time when we’ve seen reductions in food benefits and farm-to-school funds, it’s so important that Massachusetts is doing the opposite,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “This program will shape students' health and habits in the future.” 

 

“I was blown away by our visit to the Freight Farm today, which is helping Watertown provide high-quality school meals every day,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “We’re proud to support the work of school nutrition staff and educators, and we’re proud to encourage collaboration with local growers.” 

 

“MA FRESH improves access to year-round, locally grown food so our kids get the nourishment they need,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “As we grapple with federal threats to our anti-hunger initiatives and to our farmers, we are preparing the next generation of farmers, nutritionists, environmental stewards, and leaders in sustainable food systems.” 

 

Funding for this work is through the latest round of Massachusetts Farming Reinforces Education and Student Health (MA FRESH) and MA FRESH with Coordination and Optimization of Resources and Partnerships (CORP) grants. The MA FRESH grant program is administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in collaboration with the Department of Early Education and Care. Eligible applicants include early education programs that offer meals through the Child and Adult Care Feeding Program (CACFP) and K–12 schools that offer meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).   

 

“We want students to have access to local, healthy food during the school day,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “Watertown’s gardens and related lessons are just one example of how FRESH grants support creative and sustainable efforts to connect students with local food.” 

 

“MA FRESH helps ensure young children have reliable access to fresh, local foods where they learn and play,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “By supporting early education and out-of-school time programs with resources to purchase local foods, these grants expand access to nutritious meals and snacks, strengthen connections to local farms and communities, and support children’s healthy development from the very start.” 

 

“Giving students access to healthy, locally grown food at a young age helps them gain a deep appreciation for our farms which will lead them to make healthier choices as they mature into young adults,” said Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle. “We’re proud of the continued partnership with our colleagues at EOE and DESE through these grants that provide Massachusetts grown produce to our school children while supporting our farmers.” 

 

Watertown received a MA FRESH CORP grant of almost $83,000 this year. 

 

“The Watertown Public Schools Freight Farm is officially in full bloom, and we could not be more excited to harvest crops of red sails and oak leaf lettuce, kale, radishes, herbs and more,” said Superintendent Dr. Dede Galdston. “This innovative program brings high-tech, sustainable agriculture directly to our students, and we are excited to launch our Hi-Tech Farming course at Watertown High School." 

 

"Watertown schools are leading the way in showing kids how healthy and delicious locally grown food is,” said Senator Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont), who represents the community. “I will continue to support our MA FRESH grants that make the program possible." 

 

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to highlight the work the Watertown is doing here to educate our students on preparing and growing food locally,” said Representative Steven Owens (D-Watertown). “Watertown is a community that cares deeply about sustainability, and that includes our local food system. Thanks to the Healey/Driscoll Administration for this grant.” 

 

Statewide, recipients are using the money for school gardens, indoor hydroponic growing systems and culinary classes. The grants also support professional development for nutrition professionals and educators to enhance school meal offerings. Increasing access to healthy, locally-sourced school and child care meals is a focus of Governor Maura Healey's Anti-Hunger Task Force’s work to mitigate President Trump’s cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and adopt long-term solutions to hunger.  

 

“We are excited to see a diversity of programs and communities receive funding to further food education opportunities, enhance school meals with local foods, and establish food literacy programs in schools and early education centers,” said Lisa Damon, co-director of Massachusetts Farm to School. “We are thankful to our Massachusetts legislators for making these funds available to schools and early education programs across the Commonwealth to do this important work for the past four years.”