SPRINGFIELD — The Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts program Rachel’s Table will be growing several of their efforts thanks to a $300,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture.

The Department of Agriculture is awarding the grant from their Regional Food System Partnership outlet. Rachel’s Table will utilize the funding to benefit the Bea’s Harvest and Growing Gardens initiatives. It will also allow the organization to explore economic incentives for farmers and employment pathways for people impacted by food insecurity.

Rachel’s Table Director Jodi Falk expressed that the grant is a crucial avenue for expanding the program’s reach in the community.

“We are grateful to the USDA for this grant, which will allow us to infuse more fresh produce into food insecure communities in Western Massachusetts through our Growing Gardens and Bea’s Harvest initiatives,” said Falk.

Falk continued, “This grant will also help us to contribute and collaborate with local leaders on food system resiliency experiments and explore economic incentives for farmers that encourage regenerative and equitable farming practices that benefit the land and community.”

The work of Rachel’s Table remains essential. With several coronavirus pandemic-based relief programs expiring and inflation rates at an all-time high, Rachel’s Table Education Consultant Cara Michelle Silverberg said the demand for food is more significant than ever.

“The need, unfortunately, is greater than ever. We do all we can to pivot towards those needs,” said Silverberg.

Rachel’s Table continues to work proactively in addressing the increased need. Last fall, the program debuted a new refrigerated van that doubled the organization’s food distribution.

“While that need is still really high, we have these different kind of programs and opportunities in place to keep pivoting towards where the need is,” said Silverberg.

Bea’s Harvest and Growing Gardens are some of Rachel’s Table’s essential avenues for combating food insecurity. Silverberg shared that the Bea’s Harvest initiative, which started 15 years ago, averages a yield of 10,000 pounds of food annually. Additional financial resources from the grant will allow the program to launch county-wide “glean teams” that harvest produce from local farms and deliver it to partner agencies weekly.

Implementing these volunteer-based groups is expected to increase Bea’s Harvest food total to 54,000 pounds annually. Silverberg stressed that Rachel’s Table is coordinating its growth consciously, working to define strong relationships with various farms so the harvest program can be mutually beneficial.

“This grant will definitely help us to keep ramping up those numbers, as well as at the same time building up relationships with farmers so we can be doing this in a way that does not have unintended negative consequences for farmers,” said Silverberg.

For Growing Gardens, different farming outlets participate in the program for two years. Still, Rachel’s Table wants to ensure success for these entities long after that period. Silverberg discussed how Rachel’s Table will utilize the grant funding to strengthen community networking.

“That is really important for the sustainability of these gardens going forward. They are in the program with us for two years, but after that, we want to make sure they still have a network and a community ... This grant really helps us develop that aspect of the Growing Gardens program in as robust a manner as we can,” said Silverberg.

Growing Gardens will also focus the funding on strengthening partnerships with local organizations, like NOFA/Mass, Smith College and Focus Springfield. Silverberg said the trio of agencies continues to be crucial to the program’s mission.

Silverberg hopes the funding resources help Rachel’s Table boost its role in working against food insecurity. Nevertheless, she acknowledges that working to address a worldwide dilemma takes a collective effort from people and organizations.

“It is essential that all of us are working together ... We cannot do it without the partnerships and community engagement. It is an honor to bring people together, “ said Silverberg.

Readers can learn more about Rachel’s Table at https://rachelstablespringfield.org/.