Choose Fresh and Local license plate registrations hit halfway mark!

Tuesday, July 28, 2015 // Sarah Lambertson

Greg Watson, former Massachusetts Commissioner of Agriculture, shows off the license plate design.

A new specialty license plate is in the works in Massachusetts to benefit new farmers, farmers' markets, and the Commonwealth's local food economy. The new “Choose Fresh & Local” license plate isn't just for show; proceeds will support core programs of New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, Mass Farmers Markets, and the Beginning Farmer Network of Massachusetts, nonprofits which provide training and assistance for beginning farmers, link farmers with farm service providers, and develop new market outlets to connect farmers with consumers.

The license plate initiative could provide a big boost to these programs, and we are very close to getting them on the road. In order for the plates to be printed, 1,500 vehicles must be registered. To be part of the first rounds of plates, and to try to get your desired number (100-1600) sign up today and show your support for local agriculture in Massachusetts. We are over halfway there with 752 final registrations in hand!

After the first registration, where $28 of the $40 goes to the charities (the additional $12 covers the printing of the plates and RMV admin fees), upon the two-year renewal, 100% of the $40 payment goes towards supporting the programs above, and it is all tax-deductible. 

For more details, visit mafoodplate.org.

Or you can jump straight to the signup page here.

You can also follow the initiative's progress and spread the word through its Facebook page and the Twitter handle #mafoodplate – a great way to help the cause even if you don't have a car!