麻州州長Maura Healey歡迎日本北海道代表團 慶祝姐妹關係35年

 Governor Healey Welcomes Delegation from Hokkaido, Japan on 35th Anniversary of Hokkaido-Massachusetts Sister State Agreement  

BOSTON – Today, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey welcomed a delegation from Hokkaido, Japan to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Hokkaido-Massachusetts Sister State Agreement, which formalized relations between the two states.  

During the visit, Governor Healey and Hokkaido Vice Governor Shinichi HAMASAKA signed a joint declaration reaffirming the Sister State Agreement and pledging continued collaboration and exchange, particularly when it comes to academia, education and growth industry development. Governor Healey also presented the delegation with a proclamation designating October 22 as “Hokkaido Day” in Massachusetts. 

“For over a century, Massachusetts and Hokkaido have enjoyed a close relationship and an ongoing exchange of students, scholars and ideas,” said Governor Healey. “This partnership was formalized 35 years ago, and today we are committing to growing our cultural exchange and deepening our economic ties. It was wonderful to welcome Vice Governor Hamasaka and the Hokkaido delegation back to Massachusetts, and I’m grateful to the Massachusetts Hokkaido Association and the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment for making this visit possible.” 

"Hokkaido and Massachusetts have a long history of ties, and during the period of Hokkaido's development approximately 150 years ago, many notable figures from Massachusetts, including Dr. William Smith Clark, made contributions in a variety of fields,” said Vice Governor Shinichi HAMASAKA. “Today, Hokkaido is a region where robots and ICTs are utilized for agriculture, as well as where the large-scale projects utilizing cutting-edge technology take place, such as Green Transition initiatives and the manufacturing of next-generation semiconductors. ‘Boys, Be Ambitious’ − with the words of Dr. Clark in mind, we would like to further deepen the ties that have been nurtured between our two regions and pass them on to the future." 

Hokkaido is Japan’s second largest and northernmost island. The bond between Massachusetts and Hokkaido dates back to the 19th century through exchanges of students, scholars and staff between the University of Massachusetts and Hokkaido University. In 1990, then-Governor Michael Dukakis and Governor Takahiro Yokomichi signed the Sister State Agreement to strengthen this relationship, pledging to continue the exchange of education, culture, sports, industry, science and technology.  

The delegation’s visit was coordinated by the Massachusetts Hokkaido Association and the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment. 

Massachusetts has similar agreements with numerous countries and international regional governments, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Denmark, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and Taiwan. 

慈濟劍橋外展中心邀邱琳婷窺看故宮百年

邱琳婷談百年故宮的時空之旅。

             （Boston Orange綜合報導）慈濟基金會波士頓聯絡處劍橋外展中心日前邀得目前在哈佛大學做訪問學者的藝評人邱琳婷，以「百年故宮的時空之旅」為題，回顧她稱人們譽之為「人類史上奇蹟」的故宮博物院文物被收藏，完整保存歷程。

            故宮博物院（北京）是在100年前（1925年）的10月10日，才正式對外開放，供人參觀的。館內藏品主要來自宋元明清四代的皇室珍藏，歷經火燒圓明園、八國聯軍，抗日戰爭等動亂挑戰，其中許多藏品也在這個時候，被人掠奪，流失。

邱琳婷敘述自己的藝術史學者之路。

            中華民國政府遷台時，把故宮博物院藏品中最精美的大約四分之一，跨海運了過去。

曾獲得藝術理論類巴黎大獎，義大利佛羅倫斯雙年展新媒體藝術類作品策展人首獎，也曾受邀在國內外多所大學任教的邱琳婷，簡述自己的藝術史學者之路，來自參觀博物館，做田野調查，參加研討會發表論文，現在是訪問學者。她是在921地震事件之後，曾帶大學生到台北故宮上課，才觸發她以「故宮的時空之旅」為主題做研究。

故宮發現范寬簽了名的《谿山行旅圖》。

            這晚她以王羲之《蘭亭集序》摹本、流失海外的《女史箴圖》等案例，探討文物命運。例如現存於大英博物館的顧愷之《女史箴圖》，據說是在八國聯軍時，被人以25英鎊出售。《簪花仕女圖》、《歷代帝王圖》、《五馬圖》，則是溥儀等人私帶出宮，如今分藏於遼寧博物館、美國波士頓美術館、東京國立博物館等。

            她也介紹了1072年的郭熙《早春圖》，北周或隋朝的石雕觀音立像，東魏的佛坐像，宋徽宗的五色鸚鵡圖，

她闡述了台灣故宮博物院的發展。在民國政府遷台初期，故宮文物儲藏在台中霧峰北溝，1956年還落成陳列室。1965年時，位於外雙溪的台北故宮開幕，1958年時，人們發現台北故宮藏有范寬簽了名的《谿山行旅圖》，到2000

宋徽宗的五色鸚鵡圖現收藏於波士頓美術博物館。

年後，故宮定位改變，從呈現中國文化傳承，逐漸衍變為「亞洲博物館」，透過常設展、科技互動展覽和南院戶外美術館的當代藝術創作，一邊展示多元化典藏品（青銅、汝窯、北宋山水三寶等），一邊激發與當代、在地文化持續對話的營運模式。2015年的「故宮南院」開幕，展示戶外公共藝術，又賦予了故宮新面貌。

講座現場。

   慈濟基金會波士頓聯絡處劍橋外展中心共同負責人陳筠媞表示，慈濟劍橋外展中心幾乎每週五晚上安排有講座，音樂會等不同類型活動，歡迎各界，尤其是年輕人參加，也認識慈濟。查詢可洽#6, 620 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139，(617) 762-0569 。（所有圖片，陳筠媞提供）

波士頓體育會高水準隊新增3隊員

 B.A.A. High Performance Team Adds Three Athletes

Maggie Donahue, James Mwaura and Eric van der Els join Boston-Based Professional Running Team

 

BOSTON – The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) today announced the addition of three athletes – Maggie Donahue, James Mwaura and Eric van der Els —to the B.A.A. High Performance Team. All will join the professional Boston-based team coached by Mark Carroll, supported by the B.A.A. and adidas.

 

“We’re looking forward to strong performances on the track and roads for Maggie, James, and Eric, bolstering our roster with great experience,” said Coach Carroll, an Olympian for Ireland. “All three have strong records facing national-level competition and will soon represent Team B.A.A. with the symbolic unicorn uniform.”

 

Donahue, a native of Wellesley, Mass., comes to the B.A.A. after a stellar career at Georgetown University. While competing for the Hoyas, she earned All-Big East honors and placed 10^th at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships 10,000m in 2024. Last year she also finished 12^th at the US National Cross Country Championships. Donahue’s lifetime bests are 15:43.98 for 5,000m (indoors) and 33:05.56 for 10,000m. 

 

Mwaura joins the B.A.A. fresh off a fifth-place finish at the U.S. Outdoor National Championships 10,000m in July. He’s taken to the roads of late, placing 15^th and 23^rd at this year’s USA 5K and 10 Mile National Championships. Mwaura routinely represented the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the NCAA Championships in track and cross country. His career high placings at NCAA Championships were fourth in the 10,000m (2023), 10^th in the 5,000m (2022), and 36^th in cross country (2021). In 2021 he finished 14^th at the Olympic Trials 10,000m. 

 

Originally from Norwalk, Conn., and a graduate of the University of Connecticut, van der Els earned two Big East Conference titles for the Huskies on the track. Van der Els has competed professionally for ZAP Endurance in North Carolina, and on the roads this year finished 8^th at the USA 5K National Championships and 12^th at the USA 20K National Championships. He qualified for and placed 14^th in the Olympic Trials 5,000m last year. 

 

Mwaura will compete at the upcoming Boston Half presented by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund on Sunday, November 9. It’ll be his debuts at the half marathon distance, joining fellow B.A.A. High Performance Team members Barry Keaneand Megan Hasz Sailor on the start line.

 

The B.A.A.’s High Performance team supports runners on their way towards making international teams, with the goal of competing at the highest level: the Olympic Games, World Athletics Championships, and Abbott World Marathon Majors. The B.A.A. is sponsored by adidas, which provides comprehensive support for the organization’s High Performance team, running club, and mass-participatory events. 

 

A complete list of B.A.A. High Performance Team members can be found below, as well as personal bests and links to each athlete’s World Athletics Profile. 

 

B.A.A High Performance Team Roster: 

Isaac Basten

Maggie Donahue

Bethany Hasz Jerde

Megan Hasz Sailor

Josh Kalapos

Barry Keane

James Mwaura

Eric van der Els

 

Maggie Donahue’s Personal Bests: 

1500m (outdoors) – 4:20.67

1 Mile (indoors) – 4:45.59

5000m (outdoors) – 15:51.72

5000m (indoors) – 15:43.98

10,000m – 33:05.56

10K – 34:56

 

James Mwaura’s Personal Bests: 

1500m (outdoors) – 3:47.22

1 Mile (outdoors) – 4:12.90

1 Mile (indoors) – 4:08.36

3000m (indoors) – 8:03.04 

5000m (outdoors) – 13:30.02

5000m (indoors) – 13:22.21

10,000m – 27:50.44

5K – 14:05

10 Miles – 48:01

 

Eric van der Els’ Personal Bests: 

1000m (indoors) – 2:21.39 

1500m (outdoors) – 3:41.63

1500m (indoors) – 3:47.66+ 

1 Mile (outdoors) – 4:04:06

1 Mile (indoors) – 3:58.76 

5000m (outdoors) – 13:21.78

5000m (indoors) – 13:38.86

5K – 13:45  

20K – 59:05

劍橋市議會驚傳2026會計年度商業房地產稅上漲22%

             （Boston Orange 編譯）麻州劍橋市市議會在10月20日（週一）以無異議的投票結果，決定劍橋市的商業房地產稅將上漲22%，亦即每1000元價值徵稅14.07元，居民住宅稅率上漲5%，期以因應該市面對的2026會計年度營運預算上漲3.8%，市內房地產市值暴跌11.5%的現實。

 

            劍橋市市議員Marc McGovern表示，市議會議員們將不得不做具有挑戰性的對話，人們可能要感受40年來未曾感受到過得痛苦。

 

            劍橋市財政委員會主席Patricia Nolan則說，市議會別無選擇，因為要麼就提高稅收來因應需要，要麼就減少支出。她預警道，由於關於未來的評估，並未完全反映當前的高空置率，劍橋市的艱難日子，恐怕還在後頭。

 

            劍橋市經理黃義安（Yi-An Huang）也點明了劍橋市所面對困境。他說，這決定是由2026會計年度預算案的9.92億美元所驅動的。

 

            劍橋市的營運預算，有71.8%來自房地產稅，其中商業房地產稅佔66.2%，住宅房地產佔33.8%，換言之，來自商業房地產的稅收，佔了全市營運預算的47.5%，將近一半。

            

            然而，自從生命科學業大熱，劍橋市在2019年時，實驗室空置率已降至1.5%，租金高達每平方英尺98.28美元，東區甚至超過100美元，到2020年至2022年初，甚至出現空置率幾為為零的現象之後，這2年情況直轉急下，實驗室市場的空置率竟從零攀升至2025年第二季度的10.4%，許多商業大樓還出現退租高於求租情況。

            

            劍橋市評估局公佈的2026會計年度商業房地產總值公平市場價值暴跌11.5%，傳統辦公室空間中位數估值降幅高達14.6%，意味著在現有市場環境下，劍橋市的稅收估計會減少4800萬元左右，這比劍橋市預估的新年度全年預算增幅的金額還高，如果是政府不從商業房地產稅上漲來彌補，就得刪減許多市府服務。

 

            劍橋市市議會這商業房地產稅增加22%的決定，引發爭議，原因之一是各行業受衝擊程度不平均。房地產估值跌幅較小的零售、餐飲和酒店業者，受到的衝擊最大。酒店業的稅單漲幅，估計將達26%，零售和餐飲業空間的稅單將上漲10.4%。

 

            在劍橋市擁有2家餐館，Grendel’s Den 和”海妖（The Sea Hag）“，也是“劍橋本地第一（Cambridge Local First）”這組織主席的Kari Kuelzer就說，“要承擔這稅負，其實是小獨立商最艱難”。他的“海妖”餐廳就要求她來支付所有的稅賦增幅。

            

            她還說，造成這一切的原因是那些大玩家-實驗室和大辦公室退出了經濟市場，把他們留下來收拾殘局。

 

            不過，劍橋市的加稅幅度雖高，徵收的房地產稅，其實不是最高。尚莫維爾市(Somerville)上一個會計年度就每一千元18.92元，波士頓市則是25元，和劍橋市上漲之後的14.07元相比，高得多了。

創舞台露天演出”波士頓華埠：我們街道上的故事“音樂劇

表演之一。（周菊子攝）

             (Boston Orange)「波士頓華埠：我們街道上的故事 （Boston Chinatown: Stories on Our Streets）」這音樂唱奏演出，10月18日下午，讓塔芙茨大學華埠校區的社區廣場（186 Harrison Av.）樂音飄揚，六、七十名觀眾倘徉在豔陽樹蔭下，聽得十分陶醉。

創舞台創辦人曲悅鳴。（周菊子攝）

            這是一場由「一公司（Company One）」和華裔女子曲悅鳴所創辦的「創舞台（Chuang Stage）」合作，給年輕人展示才藝機會，呈現一齣正在創作中的口述歷史音樂劇。

            當天的演出，主要以音樂彈奏，歌曲演唱方式進行，創作團隊共9人，包括內容撰寫，音樂編導，戲劇化處理，舞台管理，歌曲創作的安排有7段演出，依序為“牌樓”，“世界在4月結束了“，”媽媽說（慢下來）“，”拒絕服從的母親們“，”我很好“，”和你在美國“到“保存（結尾）“。

表演之二。（周菊子攝）

            創作團隊希望藉「波士頓華埠：我們街道上的故事」，在波士頓華埠面對著豪華化，族裔暴力的壓力中，展現其歷史，活力，與韌性。從餐廳廚房的韻律到磚瓦街道上還子成長的步伐，這齣正在創作中的音樂劇，呈現了波士頓華埠作為人們的家，給人帶來的回憶與歸屬感，深植在波士頓華埠之中，激盪出遠溢其外的共鳴。

            當天的演出曲目，及演出者，依序為由Ashley Ha和合奏樂團演出，Anju Madhok 創作的「牌樓(The Gate)」，Emma Nayun Downs演出，Brandon Zang

現場伴奏。（周菊子攝）

創作的「世界在4月結束了（The World Ended in April）」，Nicholas Papayoanou演出，Jude Torres創作的「媽媽說（慢下來）“Mama Says (Slow Down)”」，Vivian Liu-Somers和Emma Nayun Downs，以及合奏樂團演出，Brandon Zang創作的「拒絕服從的母親（Mothers Who Refuse to Obey）」，Michelle M. Aguillon表演，Emma Nayun Downs創作的「我很好（I’m Fine）」，Chantha Luk演出，Emma Nayun Downs創作的「和你在美國（In America, With You）」，Ashley Ha 和合奏樂團演出，由Anju Madhol創作的「保存（結尾）”Preservation (Outro)”」。

“創舞台”和”一公司“合作音樂劇。（周菊子攝）

觀眾們在塔芙茨社區廣場享受初秋午後。（周菊子攝）

大波士頓中華文化中心開放日 社團豐盛、節目精彩

右起，韓蓮芳，GBCCA會長趙寧，副會長吳德惠，陳玉瑛，吳宇懷，
嚴安莉，梁慧玲等人，再開放日會長接待賓客。（周菊子攝）

         (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州牛頓市報導)大波士頓中華文化協會（GBCCA）日前在牛頓市的二層樓自置會所，舉辦2025開放日，邀請新朋舊友欣賞2場12段表演，20多個社團的攤位展示，認識這已有60年悠久歷史的華人社團，資源多豐富，為新年度做準備。

華心中文學校的陳瑞虹（左）和蕭雲（前右）歡迎到訪賓客。（周菊子攝）

GBCCA辦公室經理高紅燕（左二）表演腰鼓舞。（周菊子攝）

      這是大波士頓郊區歷史最悠久的華人社團，緣起於1956年時一群華人聚會，建立起友誼，接著1959年，為子女教育，文化傳承，他們在牛頓市創辦了麻州第一所中文學校，之後才在1963年正式成立為社團。

介紹父子遊戲，藝術探險，有氧舞蹈的攤位。（吳德惠提供）

      大波士頓中華文化協會現任會長趙寧，韓蓮芳夫婦，候任會長吳德惠，幹部志工吳宇懷，陳玉瑛，嚴安莉，梁慧玲，曾任會長的陳瑞虹，葛幼梅，蕭雲，紐英崙青少年中文夏令營Christopher Chiu等許多人，這天全都駐守在會場，迎迓人群到訪，忙著解說，介紹。波士頓僑教中心主任高家富也特地趕到會場參觀致意。

余心樂農莊創辦人郭延鐸（左起）向吳宇懷、嚴安莉姐說農莊產品。（周菊子攝）

          來到現場的人，都拿到一份開放日社團簡介，列有文協麾下的各個社團，以及負責人和聯絡方式，包括華心中文學校陳瑞虹，華心藝術學校陳瑞虹/王淑玲，扯鈴隊Jason Wang/ Daniel Huang，武安武藝學館章德鄰/林欣怡，紐英崙青少年中文夏令營Christopher Chiu/Gabe Sater，國樂團楊信宜，青少年國樂團閻露，雲鶴社龍俐麗，卡拉ＯＫ楊哲修，GBCCAA合唱團徐宗玲，知音舞韻王麗文，太極班蘇錫民，健身腰鼓楊曉蓓，胡雲平太極班，尊巴舞班張越麒，張歡武術班，林老師二胡課林湛濤，向日葵藝術坊馬琳琳，波士頓揚琴和鼓隊黃秀儀，街舞工作室姜斯雯，Sam’s武術工作室，徐莉瑜伽健身班。

      在開放日現場擺攤的還有余心樂農場創辦人郭延鐸展示走地雞蛋，猴頭菇，本季第一批雞肉。李紹寧和李嘉心父子檔介紹朋友為亞裔創辦的父子營，每月聚會一次，幫助亞裔父子在輕鬆的遊戲氣氛中建立父子感情（Alvinlee3050@yahoo.com）。

      會場也以GBCCA辦公室經理高紅燕整理製作的精美幻燈片，介紹GBCCA的所有社團。

紐英崙青少年中文夏令營團員為新年度招生。（周菊子攝）

       吳萍萍則擔起主持表演節目重任，展示大波士頓中華文化協會麾下各種社團，包括波士頓健身腰鼓隊表演腰鼓舞“紅紅的日子”，武安武藝學館和張歡老師武術班各自示範武術，徐莉老師尊巴與瑜珈班表演拉丁舞，林湛濤老師二胡課示範二胡演奏，GBCCA扯鈴隊表演，楊曉華表演秧歌舞“大東北：我的家鄉”。卡拉ＯＫ俱樂部有楊哲修，吳萍萍，張揚明，李國富，朱碧玉等人演唱等。

吳萍萍為表演節目當主持。（周菊子攝）

GBCCA國樂團指揮陳志新（左三）帶著團員排練。（周菊子攝）

         國樂社除了在表演環節做說明之外，這天還有指揮陳志新帶著樂團在小教室排練，房間裡擠滿了人。

扯鈴表演。（周菊子攝）

          迄今走過62年的大波士頓中華文化協會，曾經有過許多輝煌時刻。記載在該會網站上的就有1972年創辦勒星頓中文學校，成立合唱團，1979年應波士頓兒童博物館之邀，聯合創辦波士頓龍舟節，1981年取得非牟利組織免稅資格，1982年創辦全是福（Chelmsford）中文學校，1984年成立中國音樂社，1986年創辦紐英崙青少年夏令營，1991年邀得美國首位華裔部長趙小蘭為籌建會址的募款會主講人，1993年買下位於牛頓市的現有會址，成為大波士頓地區極少數擁有自置會址的社團之一。同年華心中文學校在會址開張。1984年大波士頓中華文化協會開始參加波士頓第一夜的年度演出。2000年，該會主席葛幼梅獲得牛頓市傑出婦女獎，該會也因推廣多元文化獲得牛頓市長獎，2003年開始為波士頓第一夜製作生肖花燈，2009年龍俐麗獲麻州無名英雄獎。

GBCCA網站上的資訊，只記錄到2009年。

            GBCCA的下個大活動，將是明年1月年會。查詢GBCCA（437 Cherry Street, West Newton, MA p2465）詳情，可上網gbcca.org，或gbcca.boston@gmail.com， 617-332-0377。（訂正，補充版）

張揚明代表卡啦ＯＫ隊演唱。（周菊子攝）

華心中文學校以紙板佈告介紹學校概況。（周菊子攝）

GBCCA麾下社團介紹。（周菊子攝）

右起，葛幼梅，韓蓮芳和陳嘉美在攤位前準備迎接賓客。（吳宇懷提供）

每一段表演都有不少人欣賞。（吳德惠提供）

波士頓僑教中心主任特地來訪，GBCCA會長趙寧，副會長吳德惠。（吳宇懷提供）

波士頓僑教中心主任高家富（右）探訪余心樂農莊攤位。（吳宇懷提供）

父子遊戲攤位。（吳德惠提供）

世紀中文學校董事長李娜（左）探問華新中文學校創辦人陳瑞虹。（吳德惠提供）

陳瑞虹（右起）、蕭雲親自上陣解說華心中文學校。（吳德惠提供

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS’ FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR FRESH, NUTRITIOUS, LOCALLY SOURCED SCHOOL MEALS

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS’ FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR FRESH, NUTRITIOUS, LOCALLY SOURCED SCHOOL MEALS “Silver Status” award from the Center for Good Food Purchasing demonstrates progress made during 2023-2024 school year in adopting Good Food Purchasing practices

BOSTON – Tuesday, October 21, 2025 – Mayor Michelle Wu and Superintendent Mary Skipper today announced that Boston Public Schools’ (BPS) Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) has earned Good Food Leader: Silver status from the Center for Good Food Purchasing. This designation positions Boston Public Schools as a national leader in providing students with fresh, nutritious, and locally sourced school meals. The Center for Good Food Purchasing (the Center) is a national nonprofit organization that manages the Good Food Purchasing Program (GFPP), a framework used by public institutions to shift their food buying to support local economies, environmental sustainability, a valued workforce, animal welfare, and nutrition. BPS’ Silver status as a Good Food Leader was based on the Center’s independent assessment of BPS food purchasing practices for the 2023-2024 school year, following the baseline assessment of the 2019-2020 school year, published in 2023. “No student should ever face barriers when it comes to accessing nutritious food. The recognition of our Boston Public Schools as a Good Food Leader reaffirms our commitment to ensuring every young person has the resources they need to thrive,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Thanks to Superintendent Skipper, City departments, and our community partners, we’re proud to deliver thousands of fresh, healthy meals for our students every day.” "Boston Public Schools is reimagining school meals by providing freshly prepared nutritious food that supports our students' focus in the classroom while also ensuring it reflects the diverse cultures and communities of our students," said Superintendent Mary Skipper. "Earning Silver Status affirms the progress being made and that these efforts are having a meaningful impact on our school communities. By investing in local partnerships and expanding scratch cooking across our schools, we are ensuring that every student has access to high-quality meals that provide the nourishment they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond.” "Boston Public Schools commitment to providing fresh, nutritious, and locally sourced meals is a shining example of how we can prioritize the health and well-being of our students while supporting local economies,” said City Councilor Henry Santana. “I am proud to see BPS earning Silver Status and leading the way in reimagining school nutrition for a healthier, more equitable Boston." BPS serves more than 8 million meals per year, including breakfast, lunch, after school meals, and summer meals, across 123 school buildings. With a food budget of approximately $18 million, BPS’ Food and Nutrition Services is the largest school district purchaser of food in New England, allowing the City to improve the quality of school meals while also accelerating broader food system reform. BPS’ significant improvement in the GFPP assessment since 2020––going from meeting targets in one of five value categories to four out of five––was made possible by a complete transformation of Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) operations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, BPS school kitchens were closed and most schools came to rely on pre-packaged vended meals. Since 2022, BPS has overhauled its meals program, and is now serving fresh meals cooked on-site in 107 school buildings. Today, 96% of meals are being made freshly in house by BPS kitchen staff.  Based on its 2025 report, the Center for Good Food Purchasing awarded BPS its Silver status for many reasons, including: Exceeding national benchmarks in nutrition and in serving students fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables Reinvesting in communities by spending 18% of the food budget on locally sourced products Investing in small- and mid-sized local suppliers and nurturing relationships with New England growers Creating more appealing, culturally relevant menus based on BPS students’ preferences and diverse backgrounds, leading to increased participation in the school meals program and higher financial reimbursements from the U.S. Department of Agriculture enabling BPS’ continued reinvestment in its school meal programs Reducing BPS’ carbon footprint by promoting plant-based entrees and eliminating plastic bottles  Expanding opportunities for food access and community engagement, including  nutrition education, school gardens, grow towers, after-school suppers and summer meal programs Sixteen school buildings do not have either the kitchen facilities or enough student demand to cook meals from scratch on-site, but through targeted renovations of the BPS Central Kitchen facility in Dorchester, FNS will soon begin cooking and packaging meals in-house and delivering to these locations. The Central Kitchen is expected to re-launch its food preparation operations by the end of 2025, gradually scaling up to produce 1,000 meals per day. Centralizing food production will also bring about substantial cost savings.  “The recognition of Silver status is a testament to the incredible work of our school kitchen staff, food service professionals, and partners who have helped us reimagine what school meals can look like in Boston” said Eric Stevens, Interim Executive Director of Food and Nutrition Services, Boston Public Schools. “By bringing scratch cooking back to our schools and sourcing more nutritious, culturally diverse ingredients from local suppliers, we’re not only serving healthier meals — we’re also investing in our students, our workforce, and our local economy.”  “Boston Public Schools is proving that large urban districts can be powerful drivers of food system change” said Simca Horwitz, Co-Director of Massachusetts Farm to School. “By prioritizing local sourcing and fresh, scratch-cooked meals, BPS is creating new market opportunities for regional farmers and food producers and showing what’s possible when schools commit to farm to school principles at scale for the benefit of their students.”  In 2019, while serving on the Boston City Council, then-Councilor Wu authored and passed the Good Food Purchasing Ordinance, leading City departments to adopt Good Food Purchasing standards for their food procurement. The City’s Office of Food Justice (OFJ) leads the cross-departmental initiative to make healthy eating easier for Boston residents, keep public dollars invested in Boston, and reduce the environmental impact of the City’s food purchases.The Ordinance also formally adopts the goal of encouraging food vendors to invest in local minority, disabled, and/or women-owned businesses. BPS FNS is focused on growing its existing partnerships with minority-owned business enterprises (MBEs) and, alongside OFJ, forging alliances with major institutional buyers in Boston, like hospitals and universities to get healthier, values-based products with diverse suppliers all across the city.  To read the Center for Good Food Purchasing’s findings and for more background on the Good Food Purchasing Program, visit Boston Public School's webpage. Read the BPS Eats Strategic Plan here.