In Defense of MAP
I agree with Stephanie Kraft [“Welfare Kings,” Nov. 29, 2007] that we should be outraged when our tax dollars are used to help corporations take jobs overseas. However, Market Access Program (MAP) is definitely not one of those instances. MAP exists to promote agricultural products grown in the U.S.A. in export markets. The intention is to increase the overall market for U.S. produce, and one explicit goal is to provide jobs here. I was a happy holder of such a job for many years, and I hired services of many American (required) vendors in carrying out that job.
While it is true that, in the past, McDonald’s and Gallo have received funds from this program, the rules have changed. For more than 10 years now, in order for a private company to receive funds, it must qualify, under SBA rules, as a small business—help for the little guy.
There are many, many government programs that should, and do, raise our ire. But MAP is not one of them.
Ann Pemberton
South Hadley
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Hunger Unnecessary
I have attended the public schools in Northampton since I was in first grade. I am now an undergrad at UMass designing my major, Sustainability and Environmental Justice. This past fall I took a community service-learning course focusing on engaging with the community on food security issues. I have discovered that Western Mass. is pretty far along when it comes to supporting our local farmers and working to fight hunger. This is great, but I believe we can do better.
According to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, one in 10 community members currently grapples with hunger or chronic food insecurity. It is not just the homeless and unemployed, either. One-third of adults seeking food assistance have at least a high school diploma, and 36 percent of hungry households have at least one working adult. In our region, rates of hunger and insecurity are more than six times higher than the statewide average.
My peers from the class are volunteering all over the area at food banks, survival centers and farms. Together we have come to the conclusion that there doesn’t have to be hunger in our community and we can take action to end it. Food banks are a crucial form of temporary emergency relief, but we can find a more permanent solution.
I am volunteering at Nuestras Raíces Farm in Holyoke. Here is living proof that there are ways for disadvantaged communities to organize to create food security and empowerment through urban agriculture. I urge you to visit and learn from this model. I also encourage you to contact your state representative and senator in support of the statewide bills Creating a Statewide Food Policy Council (H3853) and An Act to Promote Proper School Nutrition (HB 4199).
Hannah Jacobson-Hardy
Florence
