Community Supported Agriculture: Supporting and Increasing Fresh Food Access

Jeff Cole is the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Farmers Markets (MFM). MFM is a 501 (c) 3 charitable non-profit organization whose mission is to partner with farmers, consumers, and communities to foster, enhance and sustain farmers market in Massachusetts in order to improve regional farm viability, consumer nutrition and community social and economic development. Jeff is the 9^th generation on the family farm and has 40 years of success in farming, selling at farmers markets, managing farmers markets, and working collaboratively on local food systems.  Jeff is the son of a major health insurer CEO and keenly understands the relationship between diet, health, and health care costs.  He leads work and support programs for farmers market operation, sustainability, and connectivity to health and wellness activities and programs. Jeff is an expert on EBT, the Farmers Market Nutrition Program and other local healthy food incentive programs at farmers markets, and is a member and Secretary of the MA Food Policy Council.