For the project costs of the Massachusetts healthy incentives program; provided, that when expanding the number of participating vendors, the department shall prioritize improving access in areas with limited access to fresh, local produce and that are historically underserved by the program; provided further, that the department shall collaborate with local food coalitions and nonprofit groups to develop community outreach strategies that ensure equitable access to, and knowledge of, the program; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to Growing Places in the city of Leominster for the purpose of the development of the regional food center in north central Massachusetts; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the Allston--Brighton Food Pantry and community refrigerator support program; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended to the Dracut Food Pantry; and provided further, that not later than April 1, 2026, the department shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means that shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the number of households utilizing the program, including household size, age and racial demographic information; (ii) the number of program transactions; (iii) the number of vendors processing program transactions; (iv) a breakdown of the total number of program clients and vendors, by their municipality; and (v) the department's efforts, plans and timeline for identifying geographic areas that are underserved by the program and increasing program activity in those areas, including metrics and factors to be used to make determinations for the addition and siting of vendors, prior appropriation continued
